Provision of Drugs and Medicines, Provision of Laboratory Equipment, and Provision of
Medical Equipment to Barangay Health Stations Completed under the 2013 Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process (GPBP)
Medicines and Laboratory / Medical Equipment: Responding to Health Needs
Sa una nga pagplano, nagtuo mi nga plano lang ni kutob ug walay klaro. Pero kadto pag-download na sa kwarta ug nahatag na ang mga projects, tinud-anay gyud diay ni. (At first we thought that this will be just another plan. But when the budgets for the projects were downloaded and supplies were provided, twas then that we realized that this is for real). This is what City of Naga Health Officer (CHO) Dr. Andres Gestopa said on the realization of the health-related projects identified under the 2013 GPBP, with a total budget worth of Php3795000 thru the Department of Health (DOH).
A 3 rd class City in the Province of Cebu with a population of 111, 229, the City of Naga is among those LGUs whose provision of quality health service delivery is beset with many challenges including lack of medicine supplies and equipment. While the local government unit (LGU) of Naga always has an allocation for medicines, the GPBP provided an augmentation of resources for medicines and for other needed health projects for the improvement of health service delivery. Specifically, the 2013 GPBP completed projects which were officially turned over to the LGU last March 2014 are the following: (1) provision of drugs and medicines worth Php895000; (2) provision of laboratory equipment worth Php1500000; and (3) provision of medical equipment for all barangay health stations (BHS) worth Php1400000.
According to the City Pharmacist Maria Girly Jimenez, the drugs and medicines provided under the project has helped greatly as they are now able to distribute enough medicines to the 28 barangay health stations. Apart from the medicines, the barangay health stations are also recipients of the following medical equipment that are needed for check-up/consultation and emergency delivery and/or minor surgery: stethoscopes, dressing cart, weighing scales for infant and adult, instrument tray with cover, BP apparatus, and vaginal speculum test. Ms. Levena Abangan, one of the Barangay Health Worker of West Poblacion Barangay Health Station, said that they are grateful on the supplies and equipment provided; especially that they are a new health station catering to 3121 residents.
The laboratory equipment provided under GPB the Combilyzer for urine tests is another breakthrough for the Citys VMMC lying-in Clinic (LIC). This is in addition to the Humalyzer and CBC test machine that the LIC already have. The presence of such equipment will help lessen the expenses of the patients, especially the pregnant women, for laboratory tests. As compared by Ms. Cristy Badilles, staff nurse of VMMC LIC, a patient usually spends Php500-Php1000 for laboratory tests in private hospitals or laboratories; however, the LIC will only charge Php60 for each tests and Philhealth members will not be charged as this is included in the out-patient benefit package 1 . On their first two laboratory equipment, the LIC is serving an average of 100 patients (mostly pregnant women and senior citizens) per month for the tests; and with the inclusion of important laboratory equipment, they expect an increased number of consulting patients in the VMMC LIC and City Health Clinic.
On the part of the civil society organizations (CSOs), the LPRAT co-chairperson Ms. Gloria Pocot is also happy on the realization of the health projects identified under the 2013 GPBP. She said that
1 An ordinance for laboratory fees is still under process. the projects identified and completed are really intended for the poor to access health services at low costs. Now, poor people can avail health services and laboratory tests with minimum expenses. As stressed by Ms. Pocot, GPBP is a great process. She further said, Tungod niining GPBP, ang mga CSOs naka-participate sa gobyerno ug mas maka-suggest og mga proyekto nga gikinahanglan sa mga kabus (Because of GPBP, CSOs can participate in government and can identify projects needed by the poor).
Like the rest of the stakeholders, Ms. Pocot looks forward for the GPBP to be sustained because thru this process, the government especially the national government agencies reaches out and become more responsive to the needs of the people suffering in poverty.
Cristy Badilles, staff nurse of VMMC Lying-in, presenting and explaining the use of Combilyer.
Left: Levena Abangan, with two health volunteers of Barangay West Poblacion Health Station, presenting the medical equipment turned over to them. Below: Drugs and medicines and medical equipment for every BHS.