Health Centers

Due to the rising healthcare costs, the Philippine Government is making preventive health care a top priority. This preventive health care involves health screenings and assessments in the community. The early detection of potential risk for chronic diseases, communicable diseases and malnutrition is a life saving measure.

Medical treatment and immunizations, especially in children, are provided in the health centers by qualified healthcare providers or licensed clinicians. Immediate intervention is made on serious medical conditions, which are then referred to appropriate hospitals for immediate treatment. The preventive health care initiative is enriching people's lives by reducing sufferings, and improving the overall health status in the community. Thus, resulting in the reduction of healthcare costs. The reduction in healthcare costs will provide a positive impact on the nation's struggling economy.

As mandated by laws of the Philippines, the Oroquieta City healthcare system is regulated by the City Health Board who oversees and monitors the overall health programs. Dr. Emerico Conol, who in his capacity as Oroquieta City's Consultant on Health, Peace, Order and Environment is heading the health screening initiatives. The health program encompasses all of Oroquieta City's Barangay health centers. The City Health Office (CHO) is Oroquieta City's main and primary community health center.

Assigned to the CHO are physicians, nurses, sanitation inspectors, medical technologists, and a midwife. They make regular visits to the Barangay Health Stations to supervise and monitor the subordinate healthcare providers called the Barangay Health Scholars (BHS) which consist of Staff Nurses and Rural Health Midwives. Regular monthly meetings are conducted by the CHO to keep abreasts of the status, regulatory compliance and overall effectiveness of the health programs.

The City Health Office (CHO) consists of 14 Barangay Health Stations (BHS), of which two Poblacion BHS area located in the main CHO. Each BHS is managed by a Rural Health Midwife who is thoroughly trained in all aspects of Barangay health programs. Certain cases that require extensive medical treatment and management are referred by the Midwife to the CHO.

By: Ofelia Bayutas Mutia