Barangay Health Volunteers, Philippines
Encyclopedia
The Barangay Health Volunteer, also known as Barangay Health Worker, is a category of health care provider
s in the Philippines
. They undergo a basic training program under an accredited government or non-government organization, and render primary care
services in the community. They provide services for barangay
s (neighbourhoods) in areas such as maternal, newborn and child health.
, as defined in Sec. 3 of Republic Act No. 7883.
Each volunteer receives about five weeks of training. Barangay Health Workers live in the communities they serve, and act as change agents in their communities. They provide information, education and motivation services for primary health care, maternal
and child health, child rights
, family planning
and nutrition
. They may administer immunization
s and regular weighing of children. They often assist midwives in providing birthing services.
On average, each Volunteer is expected to work with around 20 families in their community. However the scarcity of trained individuals has narrowed down the number of volunteers, especially in some remote areas, where now one or two volunteers service an entire barangay.
Health care provider
A health care provider is an individual or an institution that provides preventive, curative, promotional or rehabilitative health care services in a systematic way to individuals, families or communities....
s in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. They undergo a basic training program under an accredited government or non-government organization, and render primary care
Primary care
Primary care is the term for the health services by providers who act as the principal point of consultation for patients within a health care system...
services in the community. They provide services for barangay
Barangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
s (neighbourhoods) in areas such as maternal, newborn and child health.
Training and practice
Barangay Health Workers are accredited to function as such by the local health board in accordance with the guidelines promulgated by the Philippines Department of HealthDepartment of Health (Philippines)
The Philippines’ Department of Health is the principal health agency in the Philippines. It is the executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for ensuring access to basic public health services to all Filipinos through the provision of quality health care and the regulation of...
, as defined in Sec. 3 of Republic Act No. 7883.
Each volunteer receives about five weeks of training. Barangay Health Workers live in the communities they serve, and act as change agents in their communities. They provide information, education and motivation services for primary health care, maternal
Maternal health
Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. It encompasses the health care dimensions of family planning, preconception, prenatal, and postnatal care in order to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.Preconception care can include...
and child health, child rights
Children's rights movement
The Children's Rights Movement is a historical and modern movement committed to the acknowledgment, expansion, and/or regression of the rights of children around the world...
, family planning
Family planning
Family planning is the planning of when to have children, and the use of birth control and other techniques to implement such plans. Other techniques commonly used include sexuality education, prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections, pre-conception counseling and...
and nutrition
Nutrition
Nutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet....
. They may administer immunization
Immunization
Immunization, or immunisation, is the process by which an individual's immune system becomes fortified against an agent ....
s and regular weighing of children. They often assist midwives in providing birthing services.
On average, each Volunteer is expected to work with around 20 families in their community. However the scarcity of trained individuals has narrowed down the number of volunteers, especially in some remote areas, where now one or two volunteers service an entire barangay.
See also
- Community health workerCommunity health workerCommunity health workers are members of a community who are chosen by community members or organizations to provide basic health and medical care to their community...
s - Health in the PhilippinesHealth in the PhilippinesHealth care in the Philippines varies from high class , to non-existent . Most of the national burden of health care is taken up by private health providers....
- The World is FlatThe World Is FlatThe World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century is an international bestselling book by Thomas Friedman that analyzes globalization, primarily in the early 21st century. The title is a metaphor for viewing the world as a level playing field in terms of commerce, where all competitors...
(book on globalization)