Botika sa Baragay in 3 areas

CEBU, Philippines —  To provide health services to the public, the Cebu City Council is asking Mayor Edgardo Labella to establish a Botika sa Barangay, that will be managed by pharmacists, in three district areas in the city.

This request was made through the approval of the resolution authored by City Councilor Phillip Zafra.

In his resolution, Zafra said healthcare services are among the top most priorities of every local government units and they should to look after the medical care and well-being of its people.

“In our case here in Cebu City, health centers were established in various barangays and were supervised by districts divided into three district areas,” he said.

Labella said he is amenable to the proposal of Zafra. If he will be the one to decide, the mayor said he will put up not only three Botika sa Barangay but even more.

“Not only three. I’m looking for other areas especially the far-flung areas. Tan-awon pa na nako. It’s a well-taken suggestion,” the mayor said.

Zafra said the Botika sa Barangay should be established in three district areas of 80 barangays to ensure that residents will have the healthcare they deserve, especially since the new Cebu City Medical Center building has yet to be completed.

In order for more services to be availed of, he said there will be additional programs that may be introduced such as, but not limited to, the putting up of equipment for laboratory works, among others.

Zafra said that the laboratory equipment that will be put up in the three district areas should be available for free to the public.

During the regular session, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Jessica Resch, who sits as ex-officio member of the legislative body, asked Zafra if the establishment of the Botika sa Barangay is akin to the Long Life Medical Assistance Program (LLMAP) of the previous administration.

Zafra replied the Botika sa Barangay will be different from the LLMAP.

“These Botika sa Barangay will be manned by licensed pharmacists who are allowed to dispense the giving of medicines,” he said.

Zafra said this is one of the directions being looked into by the executive department to expedite the delivery of healthcare services to the residents.

Resch said each of the 80 barangays has health centers that can cater to the needs of the residents, adding that the city can use these centers for the purpose.

Zafra said he was able to talk to city health officer, Dr. Daisy Villa, who reportedly told him that the health centers cannot be assigned to give of medicines and conduct laboratory tests as of the moment.

Zafra added that there will be assessment of the establishment of the Botika sa Barangay once it will be implemented.

Vice Mayor Michael Rama, chairman of the council’s committee on health, said he will call for a meeting regarding the healthcare matters of the city.

Labella said he will continue the LLMAP program but he will have to hire licensed and qualified people who are allowed to dispense medicines to the residents of the city. — BRP (FREEMAN)