Category: Basic Social Services

In line with the celebration of its 12^th founding anniversary, Mahintana-HEALTH Plus project joins the medical-dental mission cum “Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan (LBK)” in partnership with the Provincial Government of Sarangani through its Provincial Health Office headed by Dr. Arvin Alejandro, Provincial Health Officer and Municipal Government of Malapatan headed by Hon. Salway Sumbo, Municipal Mayor and Dr. Bong Remitar, Municipal Health Officer.   The LBK was held in Barangay Kinam, Malapatan on October 15, 2019, also in line with the celebration of their 6^th Tuke Fali Festival. Barangay Kinam is one of the Geographically Isolated and Depressed Areas (GIDAs) where majority of its residents are Blaans and other Indigenous Peoples.

The activity served at least 482 indigent patients with dental and laboratory services, family planning and implanon insertion, medical consultation and distribution of free medicines, feeding of undernourished children, PhilHealth enrollment, and dog vaccination. The pregnant women were given priority in order to address challenges on maternal and child mortalities. Several residents also availed the PhilHealth enrollment to ensure access to free government health services whenever they are hospitalized. Additional residents will also be served of the same services through the Rural Health Unit of Malapatan and DOH Human Resources for Health manpower the following day, October 16.

As a result of the 2-day Strategic Planning of South Cotabato public hospitals held on September 19-20, 2019, Mahintana-HEALTH Plus project facilitates the one-day workshop on the Finalization of policy on Free Hospitalization program of the province.  This was held on October 09, 2019, Wednesday at Viajera Dine, Koronadal City with 15 participants coming from South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH), Norala District Hospital (NDH), Upper Valley Community Hospital (UVCH) and Polomolok Municipal Hospital (PMH).   The activity, which is facilitated by Ms. Mary Luzviminda T. Herezo, Mahintana Training Consultant and Ms. Jea Roque, RPh, HEALTH Plus Supervising Pharmacist, aims to finalize the policy and guidelines of Free Hospitalization program and establish the organizational structure of South Cotabato Hospital Management Team and its committees for presentation and approval of the Provincial Governor Hon. Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. At the end of the workshop, the group agreed for Dr. Conrado Brana, head of the Hospital Management Team (HMT), to set a schedule with the Gov. Tamayo to present said policy and the HMT organizational structure and seek his approval.  They also agreed for Ms. Roditt Tolentino, SCPH Admin Officer to finalize the policy and send it to all participants for their comments and other additions.

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On October 02-03, 2019, Mahintana’s HEALTH Plus Project conducted its 3^rd quarterly PPF and HPSiS team meeting at Roadhaus Hotel, General Santos City attended by 1 management staff, 10 PPF staff and 15 HPSiS team leaders and pharmacy assistants.  The 2-day activity intends to enhance knowledge and skills of participants on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) based on FDA standards and re-orient them on Supply Chain and Accounting processes and procedures.  It also aims to present and update the team on the accomplishments of each HPSiS outlet and the HEALTH Plus project as a whole.

The first day started with a presentation on Supply Chain Processes by Mr. Nolimar G. Abesar, Project Supply Chain Officer, which includes procedures on purchasing, delivery, emergency purchase, recording purchase request and sales in the project’s system. It was then followed by Resource Speaker, Ms. Reyza A. Gabilagon, RPh, on the topic Good Manufacturing Practices specifically on the good distribution, storage and dispensing practices as well as the appropriate measures in maintaining a good quality and integrity when dealing pharmaceutical products and devices. Afterwards, Ms. Normelita R. Lauron, PPF and South Cotabato Bookkeeper, discussed on the accounting procedures and processes focusing on the preparation and management of sales, petty cash fund and revolving drug fund. For admin concerns, Ms. Everly N. Planes, Admin Assistant together with Mr. Froilan Dave B. Cosep, Project Bookkeeper of SarGen area discussed on payroll computation and DTR concerns.

On the second day of the activity, HPSiS team leaders presented its accumulated accomplishments as of August 2019 on hospital admissions, served and unserved prescriptions, statement of profit and loss and aging of accounts receivables. In addition, Ms. Margie S. Managuit, Project Manager, presented the consolidated accomplishments and updates of the entire project.  She also gave a brief orientation on Universal Health Care Act and challenged the team on the future directions and opportunities of the project. 

In its effort to improve the implementation of Essential Drug Distribution project cum “HEALTH Plus” in DJPRH, Mahintana Foundation, Inc. facilitates its Quarterly Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting held on October 01, 2019 at DJPRH Conference Room.  It was attended by 7 representatives from DJPRH led by their Chief of Hospital, Dr. Ryan Oscar Aplicador, who facilitated the meeting and Hospital Administrator, Mr. Glennville Gabriel Francis Gonzalez and 6 representatives from Mahintana Foundation, Inc. led by Ms. Liza D. Hora, Admin and Finance Officer and Ms. Margie S. Managuit, HEALTH Plus Project Manager.  There was a presentation of accomplishments and updates of the project by Ms. Jea A. Roque, RPh, HEALTH Plus Supervising Pharmacist.  At the end of the meeting, the participants agreed for Mahintana: 1. to provide technical assistance to DJPRH in the data gathering of the hospital admission and served and unserved prescriptions; 2. to provide the list of near expiry drugs, medicines and supplies to Dr. Aplicador; 3. to do tracking/monitor of billing/SOAs at the City Hall level; 4. to check the inventory list of HPSiS and pull-out Type C items or those non-moving inventory items;    5. to analyze the number of HPSiS staff vs. the monthly sales of the HPSiS; 6. to charge expired drugs, medicines and supplies to 70% share of the hospital. They also agreed for DJPRH: 1. to request for drugs, medicines and supplies for approval by Chief of Hospital; 2. Pharmacy to do dispensing of drugs, medicines and supplies as one of the DOH requirements; HPSiS are not allowed to deliver since they are not organic to the hospital; 3. Supply Officer to forward the list of drugs, medicines and supplies required for emergency cart of 10 wards to HPSiS for canvass and quotation. Ms. Jean Montenegro, DJPRH Accountant, updated the group that the City Accounting Office and DJPRH has initially formulated easier, practical and acceptable billing process to be implemented the soonest possible.  She will update and again, call for another TWG meeting to present the said process.

In active support to the Province of South Cotabato as Universal Health Care Implementation Site (UIS), Mahintana Foundation, Inc., through its HEALTH Plus project sponsors the 2-day Strategic Planning Workshop for province-managed public hospitals on September 19-20, 2019 at Kamari Resort, Glan, Sarangani. The workshop was participated by the Chief of Hospital, Admin Officer, Chief Nurse, Supply Officer, Chief of Clinics and department heads of South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH), Norala Distric Hospital (NDH), Polomolok Municipal Hospital (PMH) and Upper Valley Community Hospital (UVCH). The 2-day activity was facilitated by Ms. Luzviminda T. Herezo, Mahintana’s Strategic Planning Consultant, together with the facilitating team: Ms. Liza D. Hora, Admin and Finance Officer, Ms. Margie S. Managuit, HEALTH Plus Project Manager and Ms. Jea Roque, HEALTH Plus Supervising Pharmacist.

Dr. Conrado S. Brana, Jr., designated team leader of the four hospitals, deemed the need for the conduct of the said workshop in support to the Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act and the Free Hospitalization Program of the current administration under the leadership of Provincial Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr. The participants were able to: identify Strengths and Weaknesses (SW) of internal environment, Opportunities and Threats (OT) of external environment, identify 3-year strategic directions, options and initial plans, and organize the Hospital Management Team (HMT) and its three committees. All outputs of the 2-day workshop will be presented to Hon. Tamayo for his approval on the 3rd week of October, 2019.

Equitable access to quality and affordable health care and protection from financial risk for the Filipino people is the goal of the UHC Act. The law aims to enroll ALL Filipinos to PhilHealth insurance as direct (employed) or indirect (unemployed, indigents, 4Ps, Senior Citizens, PWDs, etc.) contributors throigh National Household Targeting System (NHTS). It will shift from the curative and rehabilitative concept to promotive and preventive, thus the Rural Health Unit and Barangay Health Stations will be capacitated as designated “ gatekeepers” and “navigators” to screen clients and refer them to higher facility only as needed. 

The Polomolok Task Force Kalusugan thru Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) Program, celebrated the 3^rd ARH DAY on September 20, 2019 – Friday, held at the Polomolok Municipal Gymnasium, Poblacion, Polomolok, South Cotabato.  This annual activity aims to provide a platform for the youth of Polomolok so they can express their awareness of reproductive health, STI/HIV/AIDS, substance abuse & mental health through arts and music.

This year’s theme ‘Ako. Kami. Oras Natin Ito’ – #AKONI was showcased by 110 students from 9 ARH-partner Schools and 2 Private Schools who participated in the following competitions; Modern Dance Competition & Song Writing Composition & Battle of the Bands, Rap Battle and Short Stories.  These stunningly talented performances were witnessed by approximately, 6,000 students, teachers, special guests from the LGU & Dole Philippines Inc., parents as well as Mahintana staff, ARH-Partner Cooperative HEPOs and other support staff.

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Messages of welcome, inspiration and support came from Municipal Health Officer Dr. Edwin D. Dipus, Councilor Hon. Florence Bansuelo-Carlos, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federated President Hon. April Dave Sorioso, and Brgy. Cannery Site Councilor Hon. David Amor. Dolefil VP & Managing Director Mr. Nicholaos Yiannakis encouraged the students to to think outside of the box and to keep an open mind. After the messages, the contest proper began. Moreover, A Collection of Teen Stories (A.C.T.S.) was launched featuring the short stories of students from ARH-partner schools and private schools.  The Elimination Round for the Dance Competition and Rap Battle were conducted on August 27, 2019 and the Song Composition and Battle of the Bands on August 30, 2019. Below is the list of winners:

• Rap Battle: Champion – Upper Klinan NHS; 1^st Runner up – Pablo Valencia NHS; 2^nd Runner up – Polomolok NHS; 3^rd Runner up – Silway 8 NHS

• Dance Competition: Champion – Poblacion Polomolok NHS; 1^st Runner up – Silway 8 NHS; 2^nd Runner up – Palkan NHS; 3^rd Runner up – Dole Philippines School; 4^th Runner up – Polomolok NHS

• Song Competition and Battle of the Bands: Champion – Saint Lorenzo School of Polomolok Inc.; 1^st Runner up – Polomolok NHS; 2^nd Runner up – Poblacion Polomolok NHS; 3^rd Runner up – Bentung Sulit NHS; 4^th Runner up – Landan NHS

• Short Story Writing: KC R. Saluna of Bentung Sulit NHS, Alessandra Dominique Yap of Dole Philippines School,  and an unnamed entry from Pablo Valencia NHS.

HEALTH Plus Project of Mahintana Foundation Inc. conducted Technical Working Group meeting at Conference Room of GMCH on September 17, 2019. It was attended by 10 participants – 5 from the GMCH headed by their Chief of Hospital Dr. Eden Malanao and 5 from Mahintana Foundation Inc. headed by their Supervising Pharmacist Jea A. Roque, RPh. The meeting discussed primarily on the issues and concerns in the processing of Statement of Accounts for billing purposes, wherein there were still vouchers which were returned to the hospital for corrections. This led to the increase of the project’s accounts receivables from the hospital.  It was agreed to fast track the billing in order to improve the collection. 

The Chief Pharmacist Ms. Cynthia Abando, RPh, also informed the body on their critical level of inventories specifically on its IV fluid requirement that will only last for a week. At the end of the meeting, it was agreed that: (1) Mahintana to deliver the needed IV fluids by next week (2) HPSiS staff to maintain a logbook on their daily time record to monitor the staff DTR compliance; (3) Mahintana to ready for the hospital requests specifically on its IV fluids requirements and (4) HPSiS staff to do the dispensing probably on 11pm-7am due to the lack of manpower of the hospital pharmacy.

As an offshoot of the Provincial Management Committee (PMC) Meeting of Sarangani HEALTH Plus partners conducted on August 16, 2019, Mahintana Foundation, Inc., facilitates the Orientation of PhilHealth electronic claims and Open Data Kit on September 12, 2019 at Tierra Montana Hotel, General Santos City. The orientation on PhilHealth e-claims was intended to address gaps and challenges of 6 province-managed public hospitals (Sarangani Health Facility, Malungon Municipal Hospital, Maasim Municipal Hospital, Glan Medicare Community Hospital, Dr. Cornelio T. Martinez Memorial Hospital and Maitum Municipal Hospital) on reimbursement of PhilHealth case rates through electronic means.  There were 33 representatives, particulary the Chiefs of Hospitals, Admin Officers, PhilHealth-in-charge, Pharmacists, and Billing Clerks, coming from those 6 province-managed public hospitals.

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The orientation was facilitated by Ms. Margie S. Managuit, HEALTH Plus Project Manager with Dr. Antoniette Ladio, Health Care Delivery and Management Division Chief and Ms. Lelyn T. Jocson, Senior Social Insurance Officer of Benefits Administration Section from PhilHealth Region 12 as Resource Speakers.  Some of the gaps and challenges raised were focused on reasons for Return to Hospital (RTH) claims such as documents not successfully attached, lack of documentation as attachment to the claims.  Other concerns were on undeclared dependents, lack of documentation on part of the both the principal and/or their dependents and not updated Philippine National Formulary.  In the afternoon, the session continued with Orientation on Open Data Kit (ODK), which was popularized by the foundation through its RESOURCEGov Project Phase 2 funded by European Union (EU) implemented in 56 municipalities of Regions 11, 12 and 13. The orientation was facilitated by Ms. Lorielyn Patoc, Project Documenter of RESOURCEGov 2, assisted by Mr. June Ritche Cagata, HEALTH Plus Management Information System (HPMIS) Officer.  The activity ended with an agreement for PHO and hospital partners to contact Mahintana Foundation, Inc. should they need assistance for the formal ODK training. 

Mahintana Foundation Inc., through its HEALTH Plus Project, conducted its Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting on September 3, 2019 held at Malungon Municipal Hospital (MalMH) Conference Room. The meeting was attended by seven participants: four were from MalMH headed by Chief of Hospital Dr. Allen Geoffrey Espanola and three other participants were from Mahintana Foundation, Inc. headed by Supervising Pharmacist Ms. Jea Roque, RPh.

The meeting aims to discuss and resolve issues and concerns regarding the increasing Emergency Purchases (EPs) from other suppliers and the unavailability of fast moving medicines and supplies for both HEALTH Plus Shop-in-a-Shop (HPSiS) and hospital pharmacy. Both parties agreed for the hospital to establish a Revolving Drug Fund (RDF) and to request EPs as soon as the needed medicines are in their stocks’ critical level, and that there will be an exchange of the inventory lists between parties every two weeks. The agreements were made to ensure an effective and efficient inventory management for both HPSiS and the hospital pharmacy.

Through the teen centers of our Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) partner schools, students can come and seek help, information, and advice regarding their concerns and issues during this critical, developing period of their youth. In support of these centers, proceeds from the previously celebrated ARH Day are used for the purchase of supplies and equipment for Bentung Sulit National High School, Bonifacio R. Tagaban Sr. Integrated School, Landan National High School, Nicolas Barreras National High School, Pablo Valencia National High School, Palkan National High School, Poblacion Polomolok National High School, Polomolok National High School, Silway-8 National High School, and Upper Klinan National High School

In order to promote the ARH program and also celebrate the continuity of this program component, Mahintana through its ARH Program spearheaded the turnover on July 15, 2019 held at the Municipal Office of Polomolok during the flag raising ceremony. School principals and ARH advocates of the 10 partner schools were invited.  Joining the occasion were Dr. Grace Salazar and Dr. Earl Edward Dimamay of the Municipal Health Office, Ms. Leamor Banaga, Manager of the Community Relations Department of Dole Philippines, Inc., Municipal Councilors Melchor Jutar, Eliazar Jovero, Alan Ines, Vice Mayor Atty. Xavier Bayan, and Municipal Mayor Hon. Honey Lumayag-Matti, along with the different offices of the local government unit.

ARH partner schools requested via proposals assorted materials: bond papers, other school and office supplies, sports equipment, LED TV, bookcase, and mostly 3 in 1 printers.