Thursday, August 18, 2005
Health services from LGUs ‘still inadequate’
By Jujemay G. Awit
Sun.Star Correspondent
Five years after additional functions of the Department of Health (DOH) were devolved to the local government units (LGUs), the challenge remains for LGUs to provide adequate health programs.
Population, reproductive health, and gender and development (GAD) are the major concerns.
While LGUs have plans to address these issues, most do not implement the programs because of budget limitations.
But it is only a matter of political will, said Fiscalino Nolasco, LGU component leader of the Visayas Reproductive Health Initiative (VRHI).
VRHI, in coordination with the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) and the Media Advocates for Reproductive Health Empowerment (Marhe), concluded yesterday a three-day workshop aimed at addressing health care issues.
Local chief executives from the Visayas and some selected media representatives discussed ways to improve partnership between the LGUs and the media in promoting reproductive health.
It was ironic, though, that while the workshop was held at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel, not one local chief executive from Cebu attended.
According to the organizers, Cebuano officials were invited, but none came.
In the scheduled exhibit of LGU initiatives on GAD and reproductive health, not a single LGU from Cebu presented.
Participants tackled strategies on how to promote various health care services in their areas.
Nolasco commented that good concepts and plans were presented, but the officials are hampered by budgetary and political concerns.
She hopes the local chief executives will keep their commitment and implement the plans they drew up during the workshop.
For example, Antique Gov. Salvacion Perez plans to create an inter-agency committee for GAD that will facilitate better access and mobilization of resources.
San Carlos City, Negros Occidental Mayor Eugenio Jose Lacson’s vision is more trainings and seminars on violence against women and children and on reproductive health. (JGA)
(August 18, 2005 issue)
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