From patient referrals to childhood malnutrition, Congresswoman Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang tackled both the urgent and the persistent in a high-level meeting of province’s health and nutrition stakeholders on March 24, at the Apayao Tourism and Sports Complex (ATSC).
The 1st Quarter Joint Meeting of the Provincial Health Board and the Provincial Nutrition Council gathered officials from the province and neighboring Cagayan, including PhilHealth-CAR Regional Vice President Dr. Dominga Gadgad, Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Mark Joleen Calban, and chiefs of hospitals from Apayao and its referral centers—the Apayao-Cagayan Medical Center (ACMC) and the Northwestern Cagayan General Hospital (NWCGH).
Among the tackled topics are access, equity, and systems that work. Cong. Bulut-Begtang placed special attention on the PhilHealth Konsulta Program, which has so far registered over 67,700 members and dependents in Apayao. With more rural health units (RHUs) and hospitals now accredited as Konsulta providers, basic healthcare such as check-ups, laboratory tests, and essential medicines —has never been more within reach for remote barangays.
Still, she noted, access must come with efficiency. Concerns surfaced regarding delayed referrals, sluggish PhilHealth claim processes, and fragmented coordination between facilities. “Every yApayao deserves timely, seamless care,” she emphasized. “Not just in emergencies, but every day.”
The congresswoman also pushed for stronger provider networks linking Apayao hospitals with those in Cagayan to lessen the burden on patients needing specialized treatment. Mental health was not left off the table either and calls were made to expand mental health services and financial aid for families struggling to access sustained care.
On the nutrition front, the council zeroed in on undernourished children and food-insecure mothers. Feeding programs, supplementation, and grassroots education initiatives were discussed, as the province works to counter stunting and hunger among its most vulnerable.
Cong. Bulut-Begtang reminded attendees that behind the policies are real lives and families whose access to food, treatment, and dignity hangs in the balance. “We do not move programs forward by paperwork alone. It takes strong linkages, committed hands, and a whole province pulling in the same direction,” she said. By Loremia Pareja
