LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) –The Benguet Provincial Health Board  has passed a resolution on the general guidelines on the conduct of local medical missions in the province to ensure compliance with local health regulations and standards, and to guarantee the welfare of both healthcare providers and recipients.

PHB Resolution No. 2024-002 entitled general guidelines on the conduct of local medical mission in the province of Benguet, was approved during the PHB 1st Quarter meeting on  March 14.

Dr. Meliarazon F. Dulay, provincial health officer, and vice-chairperson of the Benguet PHB,  said the technical working group came up with this resolution to address the complaints of local health authorities about medical missions being conducted in different communities without informing proper health authorities, and if there are complications, they are the ones who suffer the consequences.

Dulay explained that the guidelines aim to prevent some unscrupulous persons who lack adequate resources including medical supplies, and distribute medicines nearing expiration dates, from taking advantage of medical missions.

The guidelines provide that to conduct medical, surgical, and dental missions in the province, whether organized, sponsored by private or government organizations, individuals, or funding agencies, a written request must be submitted to the local health authority in the province or municipality at least one month prior to the intended event.

“Approval from the local health authority is mandatory before the conduct of any medical, surgical, optical or dental mission in the province.”

A detailed inventory of all medicines, dental supplies, surgical supplies, and equipment to be used during the mission, including expiry dates and proper storage conditions, must be provided to local health authorities.

Organizers must be responsible for the safe and proper disposal of hazardous and infectious waste generated during the event.

Moreover, organizers must submit a thorough report to the local health authority after the mission using the approved template or Information Treatment Record  from the local government unit.

Said guidelines apply only to community-led medical missions, it does not apply to the those  conducted by hospitals, and foreign medical missions.

Copies of said resolution  will be furnished to the municipal health offices for information, and to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Health for possible crafting of an ordinance. (JDP/MAWC-PIA-CAR)