DOH deploys 500 health workers to remote areas in Ilocos region

At least 500 human resources, who were hired to enhance access to health in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the Ilocos region, take their oath before their deployment on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, in San Fernando City, La Union province. (Photo courtesy of DOH-Ilocos)

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — More than 500 public health workers have been deployed to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the Ilocos region to ensure that residents get “access to quality health services and improve health outcomes in the communities,” the regional Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday, February 28.

In a statement, DOH regional director Paula Paz Sydiongco said the health workers were hired as human resources for health (HRH) for 2023 under the National Health Workforce Support System.

Sydiongco said the deployment of the health workers was also part of the Devolution Transition Plan of the health department to ensure the improvement of health systems in local government.

Among the health workers who were deployed to the region were nurses, midwives, medical doctors, medical technologists, dentists, pharmacists, nutritionists, and physical therapists, the DOH said.

At least 93 health workers were assigned to areas in Pangasinan province, 133 in La Union, 180 in Ilocos Sur, and 94 in Ilocos Norte, it added.

In a message, DOH Undersecretary for Field Implementation and Coordination Team-North Luzon Eric Tayag said the new batch of HRH carries the vital role of “achieving health and building the resilience of communities and healthy systems to better respond to health challenges in the field.”

RELATED STORIES

Health workers’ allowance is DOH’s top concern in 2023 budget

805,000 health workers still waiting for P37.8-B benefits