TACLOBAN CITY – The Biliran Provincial Health Office held a graduation ceremony for 96 Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) who completed the Bakuna Champions program on April 20, 2023. The program aims to train and equip communities to meet their health needs, particularly immunization.
Led by Dr. Edgar T Veloso, PHO II, and Kristina Marie J. Escosis, National Immunization Program Coordinator of Biliran, the ceremony was also attended by Vice Governor Brigido Caneja III, who personally awarded the BHWs with their diplomas.
Representatives from the Health Promotion Bureau and the Department of Health Center for Health also graced the occasion.
Biliran province was the pilot site of the Health Promotion Playbook Priority Area 3's Bakuna Champions program in 2021 and 2022. The program received financial assistance from the Health Promotion Bureau amounting to P2,800,000.
The playbook has been instrumental in empowering communities to address their health needs and determinants, which contributed to the successful implementation of the vaccination program in the province.
The Bakuna Champions BHWs will also play a vital role in the upcoming Chikiting Ligtas campaign of the Department of Health in May. With their training and knowledge, they will be valuable assets in ensuring the success of the campaign. —iTacloban (Source: DOH-8)