Dr. Nelner Omus (right), DOH-CVCHD Medical Officer IV and head of the Health Systems Development Section, giving updates on the Purokalusugan Program in Central Visayas during the Kapihan sa PIA forum. (PIA7)
CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — The Department of Health Central Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH-CVCHD) is strengthening the PuroKalusugan program, a community-based initiative that brings essential healthcare services directly to residents of puroks or barangay zones.
Dr. Nelner Omus, DOH-CVCHD medical officer and head of the Health Systems Development Section, said the program is not new but has been expanded to reach more people in the community.
“Dili ni siya totally new nga initiative, nga approach nga gihimo na sa atong local government units (LGUs) sa ilang pagpamakuna kundili usa ka stratehiya nga ma-reach ang tanang mga bata nga wala mabakunahan,” Omus explained.
(This is not a completely new initiative or approach since our LGUs have already been implementing vaccination programs, but rather a strategy to reach all children who have not yet been vaccinated.)
The PuroKalusugan program supports the DOH’s Eight-Point Action Agenda, focusing on key health priorities such as vaccination, nutrition, water sanitation, maternal health, Tuberculosis and HIV screening, road safety, prevention of non-communicable diseases, and cancer treatment.
Omus emphasized that the program, implemented under Universal Health Care, aims to ensure that every Filipino has access to essential medical services.
“Gusto nato nga ang health is accessible, makab-ot, matagamtaman sa matag-usa sa komunidad,” she said.
(We want health to be accessible, attainable, and enjoyed by every individual.)
Omus said that DOH-CVCHD has identified 303 priority barangays across Cebu, Bohol, and the highly urbanized cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue for the initial rollout of the program.
Each LGU is encouraged to select three barangays with significant health challenges for targeted interventions.
To implement the program, barangays are advised to form PuroKalusugan teams composed of nurses, midwives, other health professionals, or Barangay Health Workers.
These teams are responsible for providing a range of health services, including maternal and child care, immunization, water, sanitation and hygiene education, nutrition support, tuberculosis and HIV control, chronic disease prevention, and dental and vision care.
By bringing healthcare services closer to communities, PuroKalusugan allows Filipinos, especially those in remote areas, to access essential and primary medical care without having to travel far from their homes.
“We are focused on the unserved and underserved areas,” added Omus.
She explained that barangay health workers and purok leaders will conduct door-to-door visits to identify residents who need medical treatment, immunizations, and follow-up care.
This approach ensures that infants are vaccinated, seniors receive proper medications, and individuals with chronic illnesses get continuous medical attention.
Omus also noted that one of the main goals of PuroKalusugan is to assess health risks and profile families.
“Atong matuki ug unsa man jud ang tagsa-tagsa mga concern sa matag pamilya, sa atong household mahitungod sa panglawas. Kinsa dira sa atong mga purok ang TB-hon, aduna’y high blood, may diabetes ug uban pa. Atong gikinahanglan kaning mga datos para mas konkreto na ang pag-analisar ug ang pagplano unsaon pag-address niining health gaps,” she said.
(We will examine and identify the specific health concerns of each family and household, who among our purok residents has tuberculosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other conditions. These data are what we need to make a more concrete analysis and plan on how we can address these gaps.)
Omus said immunization remains a challenge in Central Visayas in the priority areas with high rates of tuberculosis, HIV, and lifestyle-related diseases.
The program aims to reach 40-percent coverage by 2026 and is expected to reach full scale by 2028.
The PuroKalusugan program was first launched by the DOH in Purok 1, Barangay Diagyan, Dilasag, Aurora in July 2024.
The program has since expanded to various provinces and regions across the country. (MYP/PIA7 Cebu)
