BAGUIO CITY(PIA) - - The Department of Health,  in partnership with the City Government of Baguio, and barangay/community health center officials  opened Fourmula One Plus Botika ng Bayan (F1 + BNB) in two health centers in this  city  to provide free access to essential medicines to  the people and improve health services.

DOH – Cordillera Assistant Regional Director Amelita Pangilinan, City Health Officer Rowena Galpo, City Council Committee on Health Chairperson Joel Alangsab and Marlene De Castro, representing Mayor Benjamin Magalong, led the official launching of the F1+ BNBs at the Asin and Atab Health Centers here in June 21.

On June 23, DOH CAR and the Cordillera Police Regional Office   also  launched a BnB  at  the Camp Bado Dangwa Hospital  in La Trinidad, Benguet    to serve uniformed personnel of the PRO-Cor and their dependents.  

The establishment of BnBs is in line with Republic Act 11223, otherwise known as Universal Health Care Act of 2019, particularly in the provision of support to LGUs in the financing of capital investments and provision of population-based interventions.

The government recognizes that medicine and health products are indispensable commodities in the prevention, early detection and treatment of diseases.

Thus, the DOH is  revitalizing  and re establishing  BnBs in all RHUs and other government health centers to ensure access to safe, effective and quality medicines to patients, prioritizing the marginalized and underserved population like the elderly children, indigenous peoples  and those living in Geographically Isolated and Depressed Areas and urban poor areas, Pangilinan said.

“This BnB program will also help reduce the out of pocket expenses of our people by providing essential medicines to health facilities catering to the underserved population through the strong collaboration among DOH, LGUs and the community,” she added.

Among  feature of the revitalized BnB is the provision of additional medicines on top of program medicines that are being provided free by the DOH.

The first BnB in Baguio was  established at the Irisan Health District in November 2019. DOH hopes that the 13 other health districts in Baguio will apply for the program.

There are also established BnBs in Bokod, Kabayan and Kibungan in Benguet; San Juan and Luba in Abra; Balbalan in Kalinga and Paracelis in Mountain Province. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)