LUBAO, Pampanga –Women barangay health workers (BHW) here were treated to a whole day health and beauty pampering as part of the town’s celebration of the Women’s Month last Friday.
Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab came up with the idea as tribute to some 400 BHWs who are at the frontline of government health services in the grassroot level.
The whole-day event, put together by Pamela Matias of the municipal health office, was aptly headlined “Bayani (heroes). Huwaran (role models). Women of Lubao” to emphasize the importance of BHWs in the government health programs.
“The BHWs are also our modern-day heroes. They are vital in achieving the government’s goal of a healthy society. They are the reason that the services trickle down to the most remote barangays and they are on duty practically 24/7,” Mayor Cayabyab explains.
BHWs from all over town came to the M. Pineda Sports Center (municipal gymnasium) as early as 7 a.m. to avail of the free health and beauty services, among which were dental cleaning, blood glucose test, blood pressure monitoring, haircut, manicure/pedicure and body massage.
Qualified BHWs were also given referals to avail pap smear and other laboratory services which can only be done in proper facilities.
Free birth certificates were also made available for those who wished to secure these documents courtesy of the Local Civil Registrar led by Cecilia Bernal.
Public Employment Services Office (PESO) manager Raquel Lugtu, on the other hand, announced their programs for employment assistance.
While waiting for their turn for the various services, the BHWs were entertained by performers, singer Mark Francis Reyes and comedians tandem Tong-its Duo. Cayabyab’s three-year old daughter, Andrea Celine, also gamely offered two song numbers to the delight of the audience.
Rural health physicians, Dr. Reynaldo Alipio, Dr. Eugene Nicdao, Dr. Harvey Balucating lectured the BHWs about common diseases during summer, breast cancer awareness, and prevention and management of diabetes and hypertension.
“This is a good day-off for the BHWs. It is time that we give back something to them for their untiring effort to make their communities healthy,” Cayabyab said. –Albert Lacanlale