La Union Rolls Out DRRM-H
By: Sherrene S. Ostrea, GPC-SP and PHO | Photos By: Sherrene S. Ostrea, GPC-SP and PHO | Date: March 22, 2024
The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) led by Gov. Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David implements the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health (DRRM-H) Program in the Province of La Union by banking on capacitation as one of the pillars of developing Health Resilience of the community.
The PGLU through its Health Office and in collaboration with other members of the Health Sector, the SP Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Management and Relief Services and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) Council, started the conduct of several trainings to strengthen the capabilities of its health personnel as well as members of the Community and Barangay based Health Emergency Response Teams (HERTs). The trainings were also done in partnership with the Department of Health – Center for Health Development 1 and the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center.
The DRRM-H Caravan for schools targets 300 Basic Education students. The training kickstarted at Balbalayang National High School (NHS) in San Gabriel and Bitalag NHS in Bacnotan on March 15 and in Castor Z. Concepcion NHS on March 22, 2024. Meanwhile, scheduled on April 12 and 26, 2024 are Saytan NHS of Pugo, and Aringay NHS of Aringay respectively.
The training includes Basic Life Support - Standard First Aid Training, Advanced Cardiac Life Support Training, Health Emergency Response Operations Training, and the DRRM-H Caravan which provides Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training for community lay rescuers.
The program is being implemented as La Union strengthens its disaster and health emergency response through Provincial Ordinance No. 436-2023, entitled “Providing for the Implementation and Institutionalization of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health Program in the Province of La Union and Providing Funds Thereof,” authored by Board Member Gerard G. Ostrea, Chairperson of the Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Management and Relief Services.
This legislation is adjunct to SP Resolution No. 1535, Series of 2021 which expressed the PGLU’s commitment to Local Health Systems Integration as expressly mandated by Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act of 2018.
“I believe that the key to preserving more lives is a well-planned, well-coordinated, and well-executed emergency response not only to an actual threat but even a potential and imminent threat,” said BM Ostrea in his privilege speech.
Key provisions of the enacted ordinance include the establishment of DRRM-H units at local government levels and health institutions, formulation of evidence-based DRRM-H plans and the organization, protection, roles and functions, training, and mobilization of HERTs.
La Union's proactive approach is seen to inspire others to strengthen their disaster and health emergency response mechanisms, ultimately contributing to building national resilience for safer communities for all kaPROBINSYAnihan.
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