To help break these barriers to health care use, Community Health Teams (CHTs) give direct assistance to underserved Filipino families all over the country by helping them navigate or find their way through the health system. CHTs are tasked to help especially the poorest families as identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the National Household Targeting System NHTS, including those covered by Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program(4Ps).[1]
A total of 11,615 CHT members comprise the target for 2014, of which, 11,790 or 101.51% were trained. 11,035 or 93% of the trained CHTs were deployed throughout the region. These CHTs were able to visit and advocate for appropriated health seeking behavior, enrolment and availment of PHIC benefits and regular prenatal care of 100% (145,077) identified Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Households.
The 2015 CHT Summit held at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort on February 12, 2015, acknowledges and recognizes the contribution of CHT Partners in the achievement of the goals of Kalusugan Pangkalahatan (KP) through their active participation at the community level. More or less 900 individuals composed of nurses under the Nurse Deployment Program, midwives, barangay health workers, Development Management Officers of the DOH Regional Office XIII, Barangay Captains, several PHOs and CHOs, MNCHN Coordinators, CHT Coordinators, CHT Members and Staff from the DOH RO XIII.
The CHT Summit 2015 also highlighted the outstanding barangays in the region. Fifteen barangays from each province and from Butuan City were awarded the Best of the Best Barangay Awards, a distinction given by the DOH Regional Office XIII to the barangays who promptly submit their reports to the municipal and city health offices and the regional office; newborn screening coverage higher than the regional target; high percentage of BCG immunization; zero maternal death/s in the barangay; high rate of facility-based delivery; high rate of prenatal visits during the whole duration of pregnancy; high number of post-partum visits; and high percentage of Family Planning Unmet needs given appropriate services. A total of 90 barangays were presented with the said award. This award was instituted through the efforts of the Regional Office XIII in the hopes to uplift and raise the level of morale and challenge the health workers in the fields, especially at the grassroots level where the CHTs serve.
“The Department of Health Regional Office XIII acknowledges the role of all Community Health Team Members in whatever our health status has become, especially on the reduction of Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality Rate in some areas these CHTs served. These instrumental individuals do not serve the department, but the people in their communities. Because of their involvement, we have been achieving our targets and we have been improving not only the quality of health of individual families, but the quality of life for our constituents as well.” – Director Minerva P. Molon, MD, MPH, FPPA.
