Thousands troop to LSDC for BHW Congress

By Provincial Media Relations Center
September 29, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  In an effort to recognize the invaluable efforts being rendered by barangay health workers (BHWs), the provincial government of Leyte convened more than 4,000 health volunteers for the 4th Leyte Provincial Barangay Health Workers Congress held at the Leyte Sports Development Center.

Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla assured the thousands of BHWs in attendance coming from the more than one thousand barangays of the province, of a free health insurance coverage under PhilHealth.

Gov. Petilla said that since BHWs are the ones giving much needed government health services to the grassroots, they should also be covered by medical insurance themselves, should they need it.

“We are enrolling all our BHWs to ensure that they are covered of medical expenses should they need one. It’s the least that we can do for our frontliners in health care,” Gov. Petilla said in his keynote speech.

The governor likewise lauded the BHWs for their dedication. In a town where health services are scarce, the BHWs ably fill in the void by dispensing effective and efficient health services, the governor added.

The governor said that the provincial government has already put in place some initiatives, including the upgrading of health facilities to ensure that health programs will find its way to the barangays particularly in far-flung areas.

He likewise mentioned that the province in partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Health, have continuously provided training and capability building support to barangay health workers in the province for better health care.

Gov. Petilla also made mention of the benefits that the government is offering as incentive to these health heroes who assists the government in the realization of its health policy.