La Union – 1st to Graduate in PLGP Bridging Leadership for Public Health Program 2nd Cycle
By: Glenda R. Cabauatan | Photo by: GPC | Date: May 04, 2018
Gov. Francisco Emmanuel "Pacoy" R. Ortega III poses with the graduates of Bridging Leadership (BL) for Public Health Program under Provincial Leadership Governance Program during the Colloquium and Graduation Program held on April 27, 2018 at Hotel Ariana, Bauang, La Union.
16 PGLU pride celebrated with Gov. Francisco Emmanuel "Pacoy" R. Ortega III as they graduate in the Bridging Leadership (BL) for Public Health Program under the Provincial Leadership and Governance Program (PGLP) of the Department of Health in cooperation with Zuellig Family Foundation on April 27, 2018 at Hotel Ariana, Bauang, La Union. Dr. Hector Beñas and nine of his technical personnel from the Provincial Health Office (PHO), are among the graduates, together with the 5 District Hospital (DH) Chiefs and the Chief Executive Officer of La Union Medical Center (LUMC).
After two modules and six months of practicum period in between, PLGP participants from the Province of La Union were the first graduates of the second cycle of PLGP. Module 1 of the Program started in February 2017 where PLGP participants were introduced to the concept of Bridging Leadership for Public Health. BL formation is offered to governors, provincial health officers and other key health leaders in the province for the improvement of province-wide health system to attain best possible health for Filipinos, particularly the poor. This Program aims to help the Province develop a sustainability plan to address leadership and health challenges identified both in the hospital and in public health.
The BL Program also aims to create leaders who can transform the local health system to one that is responsive, equitable, sustainable and effective in generating the desired health outcomes especially for the poor through the concept of ownership, co-ownership and co-creation. Ownership means showing personal mastery, thinking strategically on health inequities and developing problem solving and decision making skills on health challenges. Co-ownership means leading change by engaging other stakeholders to work together to give solutions to health inequities. Co-creation is sustaining social innovations by involving stakeholders in responding to the needs of the people.
The PHO, DHs and LUMC were assessed based on the health indicators in the Provincial Health System Technical Roadmap, Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) Scorecards, respectively, in the beginning of the program to identify the weaknesses and challenges faced by each organization. During the practicum period, they implemented and monitored strategies that address identified health issues and challenges. They were again assessed after the program and their journey from start to finish have been documented. A big improvement on leadership and performance has been noted after the Program as seen in the health indicators or parameters.
The Colloquium and Graduation Program was mainly a sharing of the journey of the PHO, Bacnotan and Naguilian District Hospitals and LUMC. Governor Pacoy congratulated the graduates for their contributions in transforming the health system but challenged them to continue what has been started.
