DOH 7 sets aside P444M for Cebu’s health programs

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) 7 has set aside P444 million for the improvement of health facilities in Cebu Province by 2014 according to DOH 7 Director Dr. Asuncion Anden.

Anden, who was at the Capitol yesterday for a meeting with other health officials, said the agency will prioritize hospitals in Toledo City and Santa Rosa as well as the Guba Community Hospital which is under the administration of Cebu City.

The allotted budget will go to infrastructure and specific health programs such as prevention against tuberculosis (TB) and dengue.

DOH plans to upgrade the TB control program in the cities and municipalities in Cebu through the improvement of the TB corner, which would give them a higher chance of accreditation by Philhealth.

If granted, the Philhealth will pay P4,000 for every identified TB patient. This is already a big sum of financial assistance to cover medication expenses.

Because of the TB program’s strong campaign, the DOH is able to detect more TB patients.

Dengue is also part of their priorities and they have been making moves to prevent this such as the 4 o’ clock habit of cleaning one’s yard every afternoon and the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue with the aid of the Barangay Councils in the Province.

However, Anden is reminding the public they should not rely solely on DOH to answer all health concerns of the Province.

Anden said that cleaning the backyard, for example, is the responsibility of the dwellers in the house.

Anden added the DOH is doing its best to partner with the Provincial Government to address the problem of inadequate health facilities.

“The counter part of the Provincial Government to our help is to hire the appropriate health workers,” Anden added.  (FREEMAN)