More meds for Mandaue health centers

CEBU, Philippines — Another batch of medicines will be distributed across Mandaue City’s 27 barangays today, September 29, according to the City Health Office.

City Health Chief Dr. Debra Catulong said in an interview that this second batch is part of the ?25 million worth of medicines purchased by the Mandaue City Government for all barangay health centers.

Last September 12, Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano led the ceremonial turnover of the first batch, fulfilling one of his campaign promises to strengthen health services at the barangay level.

Catulong explained that the ceremonial turnover only covered ?5 million worth of medicines. Today’s delivery continues the rollout of the remaining purchased medicines.

She added that today’s distribution will not be the last. There are still upcoming deliveries until the full ?25 million worth of medicines have been distributed.

The city prioritized medicines listed by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). As a PhilHealth-accredited clinic, each barangay health center must maintain at least 72 types of medicines under the PhilHealth “molecules” package.

Catulong said the medicines include essential medicines for outpatient treatment such as maintenance drugs like Amlodipine and Losartan, diabetes medications, and commonly used supplies like Paracetamol and Mefenamic Acid. Antibiotics for both adults and children are also available.

She noted that maintenance medicines are the fastest to run out.

The doctor admitted that in the past, some barangay health centers occasionally experienced shortages of medicines --an issue the city is now working to address.

“But now nga gipaspas na nato ang proseso sa pag-procure, mas dali na maabot ang tambal,” said Catulong.

Catulong also noted that because health is one of Ouano’s top priorities, he provided additional support to the barangay health centers during his first month in office as local chief executive. Twenty-seven encoders were immediately assigned, one for each barangay health center, and more barangay health workers have since been hired.

She added that the City Health Office now has medical technologists and pharmacists on staff, and the hiring of additional doctors, midwives, and nurses is ongoing.

According to Catulong, some of these medical professionals are stationed at the City Health Office, while others will be deployed to the barangays.

She emphasized the critical role of doctors and pharmacists, particularly in ensuring that the correct medicines are dispensed to residents at the barangay level.

"Dili ta basta-basta mo-dispense og medicines without the medical consultation from the medical doctors and then mo-prescribe na ang atoang doctor ang resita maoy ihatag sa atong pharmacist para mahatagan og tambal," said Catulong.

Catulong said the pharmacist regularly visits all 27 barangays to ensure that the guidelines for dispensing medicines are strictly followed, noting that medications cannot simply be given out without a doctor’s prescription.

"Also we want to make sure that all accounted for ang tanang medicines para masulit g’yud siya ang gidaghanon sa medicines nga available nato so gina-monitor na sa pharmacist nato and to make sure also that sakto nga gihatag sa pasyente," she said.

The Mandaue City Health Office is targeting a total of at least 20 doctors. At present, it has 15 and plans to hire five more.

Catulong said these doctors will rotate among the 27 barangays on a scheduled basis to monitor conditions and ensure that each health center is visited by a physician, following the directive of the mayor.

“Gusto sad atong mayor nga mas visible g’yud ug permanente atong mga doctors sa assigned nila nga barangays,” said Catulong. (CEBU NEWS)