Panabo, New Corella health officers lauded in Provincial Health Summit

DAVAO DEL NORTE, May 22 (PIA) - - - Health Officers of Panabo City and New Corella topped the awarding ceremony of the Provincial Heatlh Summit on May 20 at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan of this province.

Dr. Emelda Bendijo of Panabo City and Dr. Nancy Cacayorin of New Corella gained the award as Most Outstanding Health Officers in the city and municipal levels respectively.

Dr. Bendijo said in an interview that the award manifested the effective services offered by their respective offices through the years.

Bendijo said that based on the score card on health, Panabo was among the top local government units in the province that have been doing well in health services.

According to the score cards presented by provincial health officer Dr. Agapito Hornido, Panabo got eight indicators that reached the national objective on health, five indicators that reach the national average, and only three indicators that are below the national average.

Dr. Bendijo added that the accomplishments were achieved through concerted efforts of the whole health office team and the barangays with the support from the local officials and department heads.

Dr. Bendijo said that their office will be maintaining their effective services to the public and will also focus on the things they needed to improve, especially on the indicators that are below the national average.

Data showed that Panabo got a score below the national average on health expenditures, ratio of public physician to population and Tuberculosis cure rate.

Both were chosen by a team composed of personnel from regional and provincial health offices based on length and status of employment, attitude, leadership skills, submission of reports and attendance in meetings, seminars and trainings.

Other winners were Dr. Evan Madera of New Corella as most outstanding public health dentist; Mary Beth Eculiada of Asuncion, most outstanding medical technologist; Jovelyn Dumaluan of Dujali, most outstanding public health nurse; Daisy Batibut of Kapalong, most outstanding rural health midwife; Cruzita Omana of Island Garden City of Samal, most outstanding sanitation inspector; and Flordeliz Malacas of Tagum City, Barangay Health Worker. (PIA 11, Michael L. Uy)