Story/Photos: ELMER RECUERDO
Doctorless for a number of years, the towns of Talalora and Almagro in Samar province finally get a physician of their own that will address the medical needs of their populace.
The two Samar towns are among the recipients of this year's Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) program, an initiative that started 31 years ago by then Department of Health Secretary Juan Flavier to address the shortage of physicians practicing medicine in rural provinces and communities in the country.
This year, the DOH regional office deployed 12 doctors under DTTB program to different towns in Eastern Visayas, including Talalora and Almagro, to address the urgent problem of health care inaccessibility in far-flung communities of the region.
Aside from Talalora and Almagro, other towns that will get a doctor each are Salcedo in Eastern Samar; Hilongos and San Isidro in Leyte; Catubig and Pambujan in Northern Samar; Paranas and Santa Rita in Samar; and Anahawan and Saint Bernard in Southern Leyte.
Jelyn Malibago, DOH-8 regional information officer, said the doctors will be deployed in these municipalities for three years.
"They are DOH medical scholars and their deployment is their return of service. This is part of their contract," Malibago said. She added that while the doctors are serving in the rural areas, they are also earning their Master's Degree in Public Health.
The two Samar towns are among the recipients of this year's Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) program, an initiative that started 31 years ago by then Department of Health Secretary Juan Flavier to address the shortage of physicians practicing medicine in rural provinces and communities in the country.
This year, the DOH regional office deployed 12 doctors under DTTB program to different towns in Eastern Visayas, including Talalora and Almagro, to address the urgent problem of health care inaccessibility in far-flung communities of the region.
Aside from Talalora and Almagro, other towns that will get a doctor each are Salcedo in Eastern Samar; Hilongos and San Isidro in Leyte; Catubig and Pambujan in Northern Samar; Paranas and Santa Rita in Samar; and Anahawan and Saint Bernard in Southern Leyte.
Jelyn Malibago, DOH-8 regional information officer, said the doctors will be deployed in these municipalities for three years.
"They are DOH medical scholars and their deployment is their return of service. This is part of their contract," Malibago said. She added that while the doctors are serving in the rural areas, they are also earning their Master's Degree in Public Health.
This new batch of DTTB increased to 50 the total number of doctors currently serving in different remote communities in Eastern Visayas under this program.
Malibago said the doctors underwent a comprehensive pre-deployment orientation to prepare them for their crucial role in their assigned communities.
"This activity equipped the doctors with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively address the health needs of their assigned communities and to enhance the local health systems," she said.
As part of the process, DOH signed a memorandum of agreement with the municipal mayors to signify the formal commitment of both the DOH and the recipient Local Government Units (LGUs) to support the DTTBs in their mission.
The DTTB program initially assigned doctors to doctorless municipalities, and eventually to municipalities with doctors but are considered Geographically Depressed and Isolated Areas (GIDA) where access to primary health care remains a problem.
"The deployment of these new DTTBs is a significant step towards achieving better health outcomes and improving access to healthcare services in the region," Malibago said. "By placing skilled doctors in these underserved areas, the DOH aims to bridge the gap in healthcare delivery and ensure that every Filipino has access to quality healthcare."(CJ/jmm/ER)
Malibago said the doctors underwent a comprehensive pre-deployment orientation to prepare them for their crucial role in their assigned communities.
"This activity equipped the doctors with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively address the health needs of their assigned communities and to enhance the local health systems," she said.
As part of the process, DOH signed a memorandum of agreement with the municipal mayors to signify the formal commitment of both the DOH and the recipient Local Government Units (LGUs) to support the DTTBs in their mission.
The DTTB program initially assigned doctors to doctorless municipalities, and eventually to municipalities with doctors but are considered Geographically Depressed and Isolated Areas (GIDA) where access to primary health care remains a problem.
"The deployment of these new DTTBs is a significant step towards achieving better health outcomes and improving access to healthcare services in the region," Malibago said. "By placing skilled doctors in these underserved areas, the DOH aims to bridge the gap in healthcare delivery and ensure that every Filipino has access to quality healthcare."(CJ/jmm/ER)
