Health cmte to review proposal to designate BHWs as HEPOs

THE City Council committee on health and health insurance chaired by Councilor Maria Lourdes S. Gaane will study the proposed resolution designating the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) of Cagayan de Oro City as Barangay-Level Health Education and Promotion Officers (HEPOs).

This is for the implementation of health promotion, policies, programs and activities in the community, governance structure and appropriating resources purposes.

BHWs are primary care provider networks which include as community health workers and volunteers, deliver services, serve as initial contact and navigator to guide patients’ decision making for cost-efficient and appropriate levels of care, and coordinate patients to facilitate two way and remove barriers to health services.

The Gavel learned that in recognition of the position of the BHWs, the Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order No. 2020-0037 on guidelines for the implementation of Local Health System Maturity Levels, requires the designation of the BHWs as HEPOs with defined terms of reference, or scope of work for health promotion, as one of the key result areas for determining the integration maturity level of the city.

Based on the proposed resolution, the technical and managerial oversight of the BHWs with regards to implementation shall be the responsibility of the City Health Office through the City HEPO, who shall establish and maintain functional coordination with the City Health Promotion Unit to ensure standardized implementation of the programs.

It also provides that the city shall ensure the provision of commensurate honorarium and financial and/or non-financial incentives and benefits for the BHWs.

The draft was submitted by the City Health Office. (SP/JBDacer)