DOH pushes training of local health workers on drug rehab

TACLOBAN CITY, July 7 (PNA) -– The Department of Health-Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DOH-TRC) is pushing for training of local health workers to assist in the rehabilitation of thousands of drug users who have been coming out daily.

Teresita Cajano, chief of the DOH-TRC Eastern Visayas based in Dulag, Leyte, said they will ask for additional funds from their central office to conduct series of trainings to local health workers in every cities and towns.

The DOH needs to train at least four to five workers in the local government – a city or town health officer, nurses, social workers, and midwives.

“Our budget for trainings this year is not enough since the significant number of users surrendering to authorities is not anticipated,” Cajano told PNA in a mobile phone interview.

The center has only 41 staffs that provide treatment and rehabilitation services to drug dependents in the region’s six provinces. The center’s budget for entire operation this year is only PHP6 million.

The DOH-TRC is currently implementing a PHP30 million reconstruction activity of its compound damaged by super typhoon Yolanda in 2013. They will resume accepting patients starting October this year.

“Initially, we can only accommodate 50 patients. After few months, our capacity will double, but this is not enough to serve the entire region,” Cajano added.

With the ongoing rehabilitation of its facility, the DOH-TRC is only limited to carrying out its outpatient program through satellite offices in Tacloban City, Ormoc City, Maasin City and Catbalogan City.

As of Thursday morning, the police reported 1,409 self-confessed drug pushers and users who have yielded voluntarily at police stations in Eastern Visayas. (PNA)

FFC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO