BHWs tapped as health education, promotion officers

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has approved a resolution designating Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) as barangay-level Health Education and Promotion Officers (HEPO), who shall collaboratively function with other members of the respective primary care provider networks in the city.

This is to ensure the proactive and effective implementation of health promotion policies, programs, and activities in the community.

Councilor Prisca Niña Mabatid sponsored the measure, which was approved by the council Wednesday.

“Currently BHWs remain as indispensable members of the local health system-serving at the frontline of the pandemic prevention and response actions in the community, assisting in the operations of the Barangay Health Services, Urban Health Centers, or Rural Health Units, conducting house visits, and helping in organizing and mobilization of community members for relevant health events and activities,” said Mabatid.

It is aimed at further strengthening primary care and reorienting services towards health promotion, as envisioned now by the Universal Health Care Act, Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2020-0024 on the Primary Care Framework and Sectoral Strategies further underscores the need to enhance the capacities of primary care workers, including the BHWs, as an important strategy to ensure quality, safe, and affordable care, and to achieve the full realization of primary care.

As stated in the resolution, the city shall ensure the provisions of just and commensurate honorarium and financial and/or non-financial incentives and benefits for the BHWs.

It added that the resources necessary to mobilize BHWs, including for honoraria, operational expenditure, equipment, and/or training costs may be sourced from Special Health Fund and other local budgetary sources.

Section 17 of the UHC Act, ensures that all Filipinos are guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health care goods and services, likewise mandates the establishment of primary care networks for the delivery of health services.

These primary care provider networks, which include the BHWs as community health workers and volunteers, deliver services, serve as initial contact and navigator to guide patients' decision making for cost-efficient and appropriate levels of care, and coordinate patients to facilitate two-way referrals and remove barriers to health services. — FPL (FREEMAN)