Workshop to Formulate the National Health Programs for Persons with Disabilities

Workshop to Formulate the National Health Programs for Persons with Disabilities

The Degenerative Disease Office under the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control of the Department of Health held a workshop to formulate the National Health Programs for persons with disabilities. The Magna Carta for Persons with Disability (RA 7277) aims to provide for the rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance of disabled person and their integration into the mainstream of society and for other purposes. The Department’s Administrative Order (A.O) No. 2006-0003 defines and establishes the strategic and operational framework for the development and implementation and monitoring for an effective and efficient promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services from birth, growth, maturity and in the terminal phase in the life of persons with disability. The continuing success of the DOH on its Health Sector Reforms led them to come up with their Fourmula 1 Strategy: 1. More, better, and sustained health financing packages for PWDs; 2. Quality and affordable services; 3. Accessible and available services; 4. Improve performance.

Dr. Nino Pastor of the Degenerative Disease Office supervised the four-day (March 25-28, 2008) workshop held at Ciudad Christia, Rizal that aims to develop a comprehensive health program applicable on the national level and will benefit every person with disability in the Philippines. The national health program will have a holistic approach to prevent disability (either inborn or acquired disability), recognition and early diagnosis of disability, early intervention and rehabilitation. Participants of the workshop came from medical profession of different disciplines, non-government organizations, and disabled people’s organizations. Life Haven ILC is one of the DPOs invited to the workshop. Life Haven was represented by its president, Mr. Abner Manlapaz, and project director, Jun Bernandino.

The two Life Haven representatives pushed forward the idea of peer counseling as part of the national health program. Dr. Pastor welcomed the concept of peer counseling and commented that it is a very important yet missing “after care” strategy. The first time peer counseling was mentioned, participants all thought of counseling without the “peer”. When further explained by Mr. Abner Manlapaz they were all enlightened. One of the reactors, a German national, Mr. Mike Davies of CBM, appreciatively called the peer counselors as the “noble wounded healers”.

According to the Department of Health representative, Dr. Nino Pastor, we should expect more workshops before the Health Program is finalized.