QUEZON CITY --The Department of Health (DOH)- CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) led the inauguration and turn-over of three “Alaga Ka Barangay Health Stations (BHS)” in the province of Batangas which will provide health care to low-income rural communities.

The completed Alaga Ka BHS was launched on August 25, 2021 and the other two facilities were opened on August 25, 2021.

“The DOH recognizes the valuable efforts of the Health Futures Foundation, Inc. (HFI) for providing these fully equipped barangay health stations in the communities. Napakaganda po nito dahil kumpleto napo ang mga gamit at mayroon na ring mga health personnel na syang mamamahala at magbibigay ng health services sa ating mga residente,” Assistant Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco stated during the ceremony.

“These facilities and its services will augment primary health care services in the communities by providing additional community-based health and wellness program,” she emphasized.

According to HFI, the facilities will provide preventive and promotive health mobilizations. organization of wellness cluster groups in the community, training of wellness cluster leaders and barangay health workers, provision of nursing and midwifery scholarships to indigenous peoples and establishment of community medicinal and food gardens.

The Health Futures Foundation, Inc. (HFI) has been one of the partners of the DOH, is a non-stock, non-profit, non-government organization providing health and social development programs in marginalized communities in the country and founded by its Chairman Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan in 1998.

The first “Alaga Ka BHS” was established in Malabanan, Balete, Batangas in 2011. All BHS facilities are constructed with birthing facilities included.

Each facility is equipped with equipped with medical equipment and supplies for maternal deliveries including ten (10) midwife kits. One midwife kit contains essential medical instruments, supplies, and medicines, which can support up to 50 deliveries.

The HFI has partnered with Sun Life Foundation and IPI Foundation for the completion of the facility.

Sydiongco added that the regional office shall provide additional medicines and other medical and health provisions for the BHS as the need develops.