“All for Health towards Health for All”. It is the battle cry of the Philippine Health Agenda under the Duterte administration. The primary aim of which is the attainment of health-related sustainable development goals. It may be obtained through financial risk protection, better health outcomes and responsiveness. One of the strategies to achieve this goal is through Service Delivery Networks (SDN) wherein health care providers are organized to ensure the public of an easy access to high quality services.
Cognizant to said objective, Dr. Glory V. Baltazar, Medical Center Chief of Bataan General Hospital, together with the municipal health officers, chiefs of three district hospitals and representatives from DOH held an SDN meeting last September 20, 2016 at BGH Conference room. Unity and efforts were taken to strengthen the referral mechanism and linkages between the public health and government hospitals. Dr. Baltazar presented the different capabilities and services offered by BGH, among others are, Animal Bite Treatment Center; Satellite Treatment Center for MDR-TB; Bataan HAVEN for PLHIV; Blood Bank; Family Planning; Expanded Newborn Screening and Women-Child Protection Unit.
As mentioned therein, the leading causes of consultation at the Out-Patient Department are Acute Upper Respiratory Infection, Acute Tonsillopharyngitis and Systemic Viral Infection. On the other hand, Pneumonia, Urinary Tract Infection, Acute Gastroenteritis and Normal Spontaneous Deliveries are enumerated as the primary causes of admission. And, said cases are manageable at their health facilities. Gatekeeping was also discussed stating that primary cases should be managed at their level. As to illnesses that needs higher or specialists care shall be referred to BGH. The strengthening of this mechanism would help address the long queuing in BGH OPD and ER as well.
In its continuous desire to improve and advance its services, at present, BGH offered the services of medical specialists in different fields of medicine such as Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, OB-Gyne Oncology, Pediatric-Neurology, Pediatric-Endocrinology, Pediatric-Cardiology, Pediatric-Nephrology, Pediatric-Pulmonology, Gastroenterology, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, Interventional & Adult Cardiology, Adult Neurology, Adult Nephrology, Adult Oncology, Adult Pulmonology, ENT and Orthopedics. It is also in pursuit of the BGH’s Quality Policy and Mission and its commitment to give accessible medical services to the public.
Furthermore, Dr. Baltazar emphasized the use of two-way referral system, a tool which will be utilized by all RHUs and District hospitals every time they refer patient to BGH. A Memorandum of Agreement between BGH and Local Government units was entered into supporting the breastfeeding policy of the hospital pursuant to its vision to be the first Maternal-Child Care Specialty Center in Central Luzon by 2018.
Finally, the meeting was ended with commitment and support of the participants tending to uphold the common goal and leading towards better achievement that contributes to common good.