TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A major turning point in the city’s attempts to improve its healthcare system has been reached when over 70%, or about 29 of the 43 barangays, now have fully functional stand-alone barangay health centers. The recently built Barangay Health Center in New Tanglag is another addition to the list.
Dr. Henrieta Bagayao, City Health Officer, led the center’s inauguration on January 7, and highlighted the progress made in the health care system, stating that 13 barangays, including Magsaysay, Casigayan, Laya East, Dagupan Weste, Lucog, Dupag, Bantay, Cabaritan, Bado Dangwa, Calanan, Bulanao Norte, Dagupan Centro, and Bulanao Centro, have yet to construct their own stand-alone health centers.
Of these 13 barangays, 11 are currently in-house health centers within their barangay halls. Meanwhile, Dagupan Centro and Bulanao Centro rely on the Tabuk Rural Health Unit to serve as their barangay health centers.
During a meeting with City Mayor Darwin Estrañero, Dr. Bagayao, who presented the data to the local chief executive, stated that the mayor directed them to immediately begin in-depth discussions with barangay officials in the affected barangays to identify suitable vacant lots for the construction of their stand-alone health centers. The city government will acquire and fund these lots, ensuring that they be used for healthcare infrastructure development.
“We are committed to ensuring the sustainability of these facilities, which will deliver essential healthcare services directly to every household in the city,” Dr. Bagayao stated.
To further enhance this endeavor, the city government have finalized the hiring of midwives for every barangay, ensuring that health services are accessible to even the city’s far flung areas.
The establishment of stand-alone barangay health centers in all 43 barangays of Tabuk City is a revolutionary project aimed at raising healthcare standards. This ambitious project is the product of collaboration among the Tabuk City Health Office, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), KALAHI-CIDS, the provincial government, and other partners.
Through these healthcare infrastructure upgrades, Tabuk City is taking considerable steps to ensure its citizens’ health and well-being by upgrading its healthcare facilities. By Jesse Maguiya