SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKER PROGRAM
I. RATIONALE
For the Department of Health to achieve the Universal Health Care (UHC), the three
strategic thrusts should be effectively implemented with the help from the Community
Health Teams (CHTs). A CHT is composed of midwives, barangay health workers
(BHWs), barangay nutrition scholars (BNSs), and parent leaders. These CHTs are
important since they are the link between the communities or families to health care
providers. As a link, they increase the family’s awareness and recognition of health risks
and the promotion of positive health behaviours.
As stated above, the BHWs are part of the CHT thus their role and contribution in the
attainment of the DOH thrusts cannot be overlooked. The roles and functions of BHWs
have been evolving to accommodate the changing needs and demands of their catchment
area and thrusts of the healthy system as evidenced by the approved policies, namely: a.
Republic Act No. 7883 (Barangay Health Workers Benefits and Incentives Acts of 1995);
b. Department Memorandum No. 2009-0302 (Reiteration of DOH Support for the
Continuing Development of BHWs); and c. Administrative Order No. 2015-0028 (In
VI.C.4 of the AO, it states that BHWs will be trained in TSiSMIS).
II. OBJECTIVES
The DOH-ROs should be able:
1. To keep and maintain an updated list of registered and accredited BHWs and issue
national IDs to these BHWs in their region;
2. To conduct training and development needs assessment (TDNA) for BHWs every 3
years and to conduct continuous training programs for the personal and professional
development of BHWs;
3. To conduct continuous advocacy and information dissemination on policies and
guidelines of RA 7883 and act as liaison between BHWs, LGUs and other agencies;
4. To encourage reactivation of and monitor functionality of Local Health Boards (LHB)
through the Development Management Officers (DMOs) including Barangay Health
Committee to serve as a venue for BHW fora;
5. To allocate fund support for the institutionalization of the development program of
BHWs (i.e. to include, but not limited to the following: for printing and distribution of
national IDs of BHWs, training, RO monitoring, conduct of regional BHW convention,
other logistic support as BHW kits)
6. To train BHWs in TSiSMIS – a communication system to effectively gather data on
cases of defaulters and pregnant women.
III. ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2015
A. Accomplishments for 2015
1. Allocated BHW kits (Weighing scale, digital thermometer, absorbent cotton,
BHW bags)
2. Conducted Regional BHW PIR
3. Attended National BHW Congress
4. Monitored implementation of BHW Program
5. Conducted training on Interpersonal Communication and Counseling nad
Tama, Sigurado, Sapat at Makabuluhang Information System (IPCC-TSiSMIS)
on some BHWs, DMos and BHW Coordinators
B. Activities yet to be done in 2015
1. Awarding of Performance-Based Incentive (900,000.00)
2. Provision of BHW IDs
IV. STATUS OF PROGRAM IN CAR
Table 1. Number of BHWs per province as of 2014
PROVINCE QUANTITY
Abra 2,205
Apayao 547
Benguet 1,296
Baguio City 132
Ifugao 840
Kalinga 1,103
Mt. Province 1,053
TOTAL 7,176
As seen on the table above, in CAR there are 7, 176 BHWs but not all are accredited
by their local health board since some BHWs are still new since it takes 3 years of
volunteerism in primary health care services in his/her locality before one can be
accredited as a BHW.
For the status of the BHW Registry, the masterlist of the BHWs were submitted to
the DOH-Central Office but they have yet to upload the list. Though it can be seen
in their account that the initial list of BHWs given to them has been uploaded it
cannot be seen in the account of the coordinator.
For the UHC-HI5 activity for BHWs which is the training on Tama, Sigurado, Sapat
at Makabuluhang Information System (TSiSMIS); few BHWs have been trained
since there were only one training conducted for this year. Thus, it will be one of
the main activities for next year but due to lack of funds only selected BHWs from
the provinces can be trained.
Monitoring of the implementation of the program showed that in Kalinga, Ifugao
and Benguet the incentives of the BHWs differ from one place to another since the
amount they receive is based on the internal revenue allotment (IRA) – the share of
revenues from the national government for the LGUs – that the municipality or
barangay receives.
V. PROBLEM ANALYSIS
The main problem for the BHW program is the poor implementation of the policies
supporting it. Since the policies supporting the program are not properly
implemented the benefits, incentives and rights of the BHWs are not appropriately
met.
This may also be due to the outdated policy on BHW incentives and benefits which
was passed on 1995. Though there was a reiteration of the guidelines for BHWs last
2009 it is still outdated.
The policies for the program is important since it will be the basis for the continual
and organized implementation of the program.
VI. PLANS FOR 2016
1. Trainings on IPCC-TSiSMIS will be conducted as it is a part of the UHC-HI5.
It will update the skills of the BHWs and will improve the reporting system of
the health programs.
2. A meeting of the Regional BHW Federation will be conducted semi-annually
to serve as a venue of the BHWs to share their experiences and to update them
as well on the different health programs.
3. There is the annual awarding of the Performance-Based Incentive for the Best
Performing LGU on health. The winning LGU will be awarded 900,000.00.
Their plans on the utilization of the 900,000.00 will be monitored on the first
quarter of the following year it was awarded.
4. The BHWs will be provided with BHW Manual to inform them of their roles
and functions and will also serve as information tool on the different health
programs.
5. Monitoring of the implementation of the program will also be done next year to
determine if the different policies are being implemented in the LGUs and to
determine the needs of the different BHWs in their catchment areas.
Prepared by:
ANNA ELAINE B. CAYAD-AN
Health Program Researcher
Noted:
SHELLY M. ARAL, MD Ma. LUISA L. PARAN, MD, MHA
MO IV / Cluster Head, NCDC MO V / Chief, LHSD
Approved:
AMELITA M. PANGILINAN, MD, MPH, CESO IV
Director III
Officer-In-Charge
