BAGUIO CITY(PIA) - - The Department of Health prioritizes the establishment and upgrading of health facilities in the region to ensure that accessible and quality primary health care is accessible in every community in the country in line with the Universal Health Care (UHC) law.

For this year, the Cordillera is allotted the amount of P235.9 million for 235 projects under the Health Facility Enhancement Program, DOH – CAR Medical Officer IV Dr. Alexei Marrero said in a Kapihan media forum on Thursday (February 2).

Of the allotted funds, P184. 9 million  will go  to health infrastructure  and P51M for equipping of health facilities, Marrero said. Under the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan,every barangay must have a Barangay Health Station (BHS) and there must also be one rural health unit (RHU) for every 20,000 population.  

Marrero shared that there are also two super health centers inaugurated in Cordillera, one in Tayum, Abra and one in Aurora Hill, Baguio City. Super Health Center offers multiple services as it has a dental clinic, laboratory services, animal bite treatment center, X – ray machine and birthing facility.

 Under the UHC, the DOH also has the Primary Care Facility Licensing Program to ensure that access to quality health care is readily available down the community level. In 2022, the national target is for every region to attain 70 percent licensed primary health care facilities.

 DOH – CAR Licensing Officer V Dr. Virginia Narciso reported that Cordillera attained around 90% accomplishment with 88 RHUs and one private clinic already licensed as primary care facilities.

 Licensed primary care facilities include seven RHUs in Apayao, 23 RHUs in Abra, 13 RHUs in Benguet, 11 RHUs in Ifugao, 13 RHUs in Kalinga, eight RHUs in Mountain Province,and 13 government health facilities and one private clinic in Baguio City.

Meanwhile, the DOH – CAR   reported  of  decreasing trend in COVID – 19 in Cordillera with an average of around four cases a day, though they   advise  the public to still be wary of the Omicron variant  and to continue practicing proper hygiene and the minimum public health standards.

With the return of the festivities  like the Panagbenga festival, Marrero reminds the people especially the unvaccinated and  the senior citizensto be cautious in  public places and crowd drawing events. Also  avoid along  bringing  children who are below five years old.

For other health reminders, Marrero  advises the public to maintain a healthy lifestyle, have a healthy diet, plenty of rest and adequate exercises,  and to hydrate themselves with water when it is hot and keep themselves warm if it is cold. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)