How Candoni Won The Grand Distinction Award

While Doc Jen Coritico was describing the awardee of the Grand Distinction Award for the graduating Doctors to the Barrios for Batch 23, my heart was beating very fast. The description was very clear. She was actually describing the efforts we initiated in the municipality of Candoni. More specifically, she was actually describing the pet project I implemented in Candoni: The CHART, the Community Health Allies and Reform Team. The CHART came to be out of an inspiring experience during my first CME as a doctor to the barrios. During that first CME, we had a session on Primary Health Care. I was captured by the words enscribed in the Alma Ata Declaration: "The people have the right and duty to participate individually and collectively in the planning and implementation of their health care." I felt I discovered the missing link and the answer to the riddle of sustainability.

As soon as I came back from that first CME, I immediately designed a module, gave out invitations to key community leaders and conducted a workshop on the establishment of CHART. The CHART is the opportunity of the people of Candoni to participate in the planning and implementation of their health care. Through participation, the community becomes deeply involve, providing solutions to their self-identified problems. Community ownership is the key to sustainability.

The CHART is composed of the CHIP or Community Health Initiative Partners, made up of village chiefs, barangay health workers, barangay councilors and the barangay itself. The objective of the CHIP is to encourage villages to initiate their own health programs in relation to the mainstream health programs of the municipality and the province.

Another component of the CHART is the RAM or Relations and Advocacy Managers, made up of school heads, barangay health workers, social workers, PNP and religious and other Non-government organizations. The objective of the RAM is to help "spread" the word with regards to health care promotion. Through the RAM, health advocacy increases it coverages and thereby helping the Municipal Health Office propagate and improve health seeking behavior.

Another component of the CHART is the LAN or Legislative Action Network, made up of members of the Local health Board, Municipal Councilors, Department Heads and outside NGO's. The objective of the LAN is to help ensure political sustainability and support to all health programs implemented and initiated by the CHART.

The final and most important component of the CHART is the MONITORing team, made up of the program coordinators of the MHO, Public Health Manager and DOH representative.
The objective of the Monitoring Team is to track the progress of the health initiatives of the CHART and evaluate the performance of the CHART and provide recommendations based on the evaluation.

Through the CHART, the following accomplishments have been made:
1) the creation of Alkansiyang Pampamilya - a community-based savings bank managed by the barangay midwife, covering pregnant patients who are seeking prenatal consult. To help pregnant mothers to save for the expected date, pregnant patients are encouraged to put up a savings account according to the guidelines designed by the MHO and CHART.
2) the lobbying for a User's Fee Ordinance
3) the promotion of facility-based delivery through widespread barangay support - from 16%, the facility based delivery rate increased to 74% in 2008. As of mid-2009, the rate is already 85%.
4) the promotion of Fully Immunized Children coverage through aggressive campaigning - from 85% FIC in 2007, FIC increased to 100% in 2008.
5) the participation of the barangays in our Healthy Lifestyle celebrations (inter-barangay Hataw Dance Competition), 4' o clock habit (Barangay Anti-dengue brigade) and even our RHU Sportsfest Celebrations.
6) barangay to barangay campaign against TB - Main Health center has increased Case Detection Rate from 40% in 2007 to 65% in 2008 and still climbing in mid-2009.
7) conduct of fertility awareness campaign among the youth (First Summer Youth Camp: It Can wait Series) and our campus tour on Anti-smoking Campaign.
8) training of new Barangay Health Workers - particularly on the newly devised CBMIS form.
9) Re-training of the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council and Rescue Teams - with a workshop on disaster preparedness.
10) increase in blood donors - won the Sandugo Award for 2008.

These are just the major accomplishments made through the CHART. For 2010, I am planning to upgrade the CHART and make it ENHANCED CHART. Through the ENHANCED CHART, the group gets to be guided with a common and more specific vision. Through the ENHANCED CHART, the members will focus more on key important health concerns:

E - expanded program of immunization
N - Nutrition and Food security
H - Healthy Lifestyle Program
A - Advocacy and Promotion
N - Newborn Care
C - Comprehensive Mother Care
E - Environmental Sanitation
D - Disease Surveillance (Communicable Diseases)

The CHART therefore will be getting an upgrade this 2010! Part of its upgrade is the creation of a subcomponent: the MICRO CHIP! MICRO stands for Mobilization of Integrated Community Resources Officers. The MICRO is a subcomponent of the CHIP and through the MICRO, made up of purok presidents and their councils, the level of participation of the village folks are further enhanced.

When I went up the stage to receive the award, I was humbled but at the same time happy for Candoni. I felt that I was receiving it for them. The award was the much needed affirmation the people of Candoni deserves.