IN AN effort to further improve basic health services in the city, Laoag Mayor Michael V. Fariñas has proposed the creation of additional rural health units (RHUs) and Botica sa Barangay and Botica ng Bayan in the city, especially in the urban barangays. According to Fariñas, the putting up of additional RHUs has been one of the requests of barangays in the urban areas since existing RHUs are located only in Barangay 2 and 28, or from one end of the city proper to the other end. As such, those who live in between the said barangays are hard up in going to them. As a result, Fariñas has asked Dr. Renato Mateo to look into the matter and identify possible locations for additional RHUs which should serve at least 10 barangays. Though the City Health Office could also entertain patients, Fariñas said the office is more concentrated on administrative aspects, Immediately responding to this, Mateo said he is in favor of the proposal and he welcomed the instruction. According to Mateo, the two existing RHUs in the city’s poblacion area have their own medical doctors and nurses and are assisted by barangay health workers that cater mostly to basic health services. However Mateo also disclosed that they have a problem in the main RHU located at Barangay Mangato, which services the south of the river areas because the said RHU has no doctor detailed there yet as there has been no applicants. He clarified though that there are nurses in the said RHU to assist people who need health services. Meanwhile, Fariñas said there should also be additional Botica sa Barangay to be established as well as the putting up of a Botica ng Bayan. The Ilocos Times learned that the current Botica sa Barangay here in Laoag operates under the auspices of the PTIC. According to Mateo, there are 10 Botica sa Barangay in Laoag located in the different rural barangays. Fariñas also revealed the intention of the Government of Laoag Employees Development Cooperative (Gledco) which has expressed their willingness to man the proposed Botica ng Bayan in the city. In Fariñas’ proposal, the said Botica would be established at the Laoag City Commercial Complex for easier access to the city’s residents. Should this materialize, Fariñas said he needs Gledco’s assurance that they would sell medicines and drugs cheaper than drugstores operating in the city which would then translate to the people of Laoag availing of medicines with lower prices. Fariñas added that the said Botica would also be open to non-Laoag residents. Dominic B. dela Cruz
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