The Philippines faces a critical healthcare crisis, with half of its population lacking timely access to primary care.
“What’s frustrating with our health system is that there is a lack of training when it comes to meeting the needs of the community,” Dr. Angela Pilar Mendiola of the Department of Pediatrics of Capitol Medical Center said.
While the country is experiencing a scarcity of recognized medical professionals such as doctors and nurses, there is also an urgent need to address training shortfalls among community health workers and volunteers.
The gap reveals a considerable shortcoming in the healthcare system, particularly in the training and readiness of local health workers, who play an important role in providing basic health services.
Recognizing the problem, Capitol Medical Center has been actively working to address it for more than a decade.
The hospital’s Department of Pediatrics has led the way in educating community health workers and volunteers in Barangay Paligsahan, with a focus on enhancing their ability to offer important health information and services, particularly to children.
Capitol Medical Center has dedicated over a decade working to improve the skills of health workers and community volunteers in Barangay Paligsahan. The purpose of this effort is to improve their knowledge and skills in providing fundamental health services, which are critical to the community’s well-being.
“It’s a formal training focused on primary health care, specifically for the 0–5-year-old age group. We conducted a series of lectures that provide detailed information on how to care for children in this age range tailored for barangay health workers and community volunteers,” Dr. Mendiola said.
Capitol Medical Center’s training program is designed to provide health workers and volunteers with the tools they need to effectively manage common health issues within their communities. The program covers a wide range of topics, from basic healthcare practices to more specialized care for young children, ensuring that these local professionals are well-prepared to handle a variety of health situations.
Dr. Mendiola said, “If there are illnesses that can be addressed at the community level, then they don’t need to go to the referral centers. But if there are concerns or health issues that need to be addressed at a higher level, then they are also equipped to do the referral.”
This combined focus on community-level treatment and proper referral protocols ensures that health workers not only provide emergency care but also facilitate access to more advanced medical services as needed.
Capitol Medical Center’s training program has had a significant impact on Barangay Paligsahan. By providing more health workers and volunteers with the necessary information and abilities, the initiative has dramatically enhanced the quality of care accessible to people. This effort also helps the execution of the government’s Universal Healthcare Law, which seeks to offer equal and comprehensive health care to all Filipinos.
Capitol Medical Center has established a benchmark for how hospitals should contribute to community health beyond their borders. By focusing on training and education, the hospital has managed to close the gap between official healthcare services and community-based health needs, resulting in a more resilient and informed local healthcare system.