Hilongos town wins DOH awards

PALO, LEYTE ,Philippines  — The municipal government of Hilongos in Leyte bested 39 other towns and two cities in winning the top awards, in two categories, of the Provincial Health Summit and Recognition of Health Achievers.

In the awarding ceremony, the Rural Health Unit (RHU) II of Hilongos was adjudged the province's 2010 Best RHU in the implementation of Tuberculosis Direct Observe Treatment Short Course Chemotherapy (TB DOTS) with the highest case detection and cure rate. 

Hilongos' RHU I was also the top awardee for Outpatient Benefit Package (OPB), Maternity Care Package (MCP) and TB DOTS-PhilHealth accreditation.

Provincial health officer Edgardo Daya said the leadership of Mayor Jose Emery Roble resulted in the quality assurance on health services by the town's two RHUs.

Roble, in receiving the awards, appreciated the recognition and credited the success of Hilongos RHUs to their personnel who have been working hard in implementing the programs of the Health Department. 

Municipal health officer Alejandro Velmonte, MD, and rural health physician Ferman Joaquin Gabisan, MD, accompanied the mayor to the awards rites held last week at the Archbishop Cipriano Urgel Hall in Palo town.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, Roble emphasized the importance of a healthy population in order to be productive. "This is the reason why the office of the local chief executive is giving more weight on the health sector," he said.

"By addressing immediate health care, development in agriculture, which would eventually lead to sufficient supply of nutritious farm products and assistance from friends, we believe we can be a healthy community," said Roble.

Meanwhile, former Senator Pia Cayetano donated to Hilongos medical equipment worth P2.5 million, Roble added.