DOH eyeing district hospitals for drug rehab

THE Department of Health (DOH-7) and the Cebu Provincial government discussed the possibility of making the district and provincial hospitals all over Cebu ready to also serve as treatment and rehabilitation centers (TRCs) for drug users.

In an interview, DOH-7 Director Jaime Bernadas said the focus of DOH, under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, includes substance abuse.

“In Cebu, we already talked with the Governor (Davide) and he is also trying to explore expansion of capacities. He will also evaluate very closely if there’s a need to add more (areas). There has been exploratory talks about using police and administrative camps,” he said.

Bernadas said the DOH has been giving funds to TRCs in the province for the conduct of trainings and procurement of medicines.

He said they initially gave P5 million for the TRCs in Argao town and Eversely in Mandaue City. He said there is an ongoing expansion of the rehabilitation center in Argao to accommodate more drug users.

Bernadas and other personnel from DOH-7 were in Capitol yesterday to conduct a talk with Cebu mayors on their different health programs. He said this is important since local government units have a vital role in the delivery of health services.

“The Duterte health agenda is encompassing all programs and is giving priority to the third sector of burden of diseases. First is non-communicable diseases, communicable diseases, and third the burden of industrialization. These are the three focus now emphasized in Duterte’s health services. This includes those problems from substance abuse, addiction to drugs,” he said.

This is why one of the DOH’s priority is to strengthen programs for rehabilitation centers.

He said they have been conducting trainings for health service providers on how to screen surrenderers in rural health units (RHUs) before being referred by doctors to appropriate facilities.