BANGUED, Abra (PIA) — Health workers and rural health units (RHUs) in Abra were given recognition for their sacrifices and efforts to deliver quality healthcare amidst recent challenges in the local health system.
Provincial Department of Health Office (PDOHO) head Dr. Lilibeth Martin explained that the first Local Health Systems Performance Awards aims to increase the morale of health workers benefitting the organization, the local health system, and the community.
“We’ve been through a lot of things starting from the pandemic and other disease outbreaks in the past. Dakkel unay ti sakripisyo ti health workers tayo. While it’s true nga kunada agsu-sueldo kayo met, but the sacrifices and the love and the commitment that you give to our people is beyond compare, and we would like to acknowledge and appreciate that formally,” Martin said.
Abra Provincial Department of Health Office Head Dr. Lilibeth Martin explains that the first Local Health Systems Performance Award is a platform to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of health workers in ensuring effective and efficient public health. (Photo courtesy: Abra Provincial Hospital)
The awards program that also seeks to motivate all workers in the health system, awarded RHUs and health teams for their outstanding performance on various health programs included in the eight-point agenda of Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa. These programs include tuberculosis prevention, promoting safe drinking water, disease surveillance and response, blood donation, nutrition, and COVID-19 vaccination.
The following RHUs were presented certificate of recognition and P10,000 cash incentive for their remarkable accomplishments: Danglas RHU for recording the highest blood donation rate; Daguioman for posting the highest percentage of households using safely managed drinking water; San Quintin and Bangued RHUs for having the most functional Municipal Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, and Bucloc RHU as the best performing TB DOTS facility.
Lagangilang RHU was also awarded a certificate and cash incentive for its non-communicable disease program while Tubo RHU received the same rewards for its family planning program.
The RHUs of Manabo, Luba, and Bangued were recognized as Adolescent Friendly Health Facility Level 3 while the RHUs of Lacub, Lagangilang, Peñarrubia, San Quintin, Tayum, Tineg, and La Paz were awarded as Adolescent Friendly Health Facility Level 1.
Pilar, Luba, Daguioman, Danglas, San Isidro, and Peñarrubia were also given certificates and incentives for the highest performance on the COVID-19 1st booster vaccination.
Representatives from the Danglas Rural Health Unit, during the 1st Local Health Systems Performance Awards, receive a Certificate of Recognition and P10,000 cash incentive for recording the highest blood donation rate. (Photo by: Rachelle Joy Alvis, PIA-GIP Intern)
During the program, the province of Abra and other RHUs were also recognized for their notable performances in improving the nutritional status of their communities, particularly in reducing stunting and wasting prevalence based on the Oplan Timbang Plus conducted in 2022.
Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Maria Cristina Cabrera congratulated the awardees and extended her gratitude to the Provincial Health Office and PDHO for their great work to ensure efficient and effective healthcare services.
“I extend my gratitude to the PHO and PDOHO for their great work and for initiating this recognition of teamwork and contributions to public health. We continue to serve with our shared vision of a healthier and more resilient Abra,” she said.
