24 barangay health stations in Iloilo City up for rehabilitation

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=7&rid=946828
• Saturday, December 10, 2016

(PNA), LAP/PGLENA/CBF

ILOILO CITY (PNA) -- Twenty-four barangay health stations in this city will undergo rehabilitation through the support of the Department of Health (DOH) under its Barangay Health Stations Project starting next year.

Councilor Candice Magdalane Tupas, chairperson of the Committee on Health and Sanitation of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), said that the projects involve conversion of day care centers into a health center, enhancement of health facilities, repair and maintenance and establishment of lying-in centers, among others.

Tupas said that the project is in line with the move of the DOH to establish a standalone health center and not just housed in a multi-purpose building as with the case of other barangays.

The project will be implemented in partnership with the Office of Iloilo City lone district Representative Jerry P. Treñas and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“Congressman Jerry Treñas would want that our health centers should be fully-equipped for our constituents,” she said.

The list of projects was endorsed by the SP through the committee of Tupas during Thursday’s regular session.

On the other hand, a proposed ordinance that will make it mandatory for persons with medical conditions to wear medical alert bracelets and emergency cards in their possession is getting positive feedback from stakeholders.

Tupas, who rendered a committee hearing of the ordinance that was authored by councilor Jeffrey Ganzon, said that the ordinance was meant for “hospitals to be able to identify them right away” in cases of emergencies.

“Seconds and minutes really matter in the life of a person, especially in emergency situations. It was found out that for every cause of delay it could increase the rate of mortality or morbidity,” said Tupas, who is also a doctor by profession.

Instead of stainless steel bracelet as earlier proposed, initially, they planned to just introduce ballers, which is also widely used and less expensive. The baller contains the medical condition of the person.

“Most doctors like me do agree that it is important to identify right away, especially with these identification cards and ballers,” she added.