Chatto inducts AMHOP officers

[Bohol Sunday Post]

Rep. Edgar Chatto inducted the national officers of the Association of Municipal Health Officers of the Philippines (AMHOP) which four-day national convention held, for the first time, in Bohol ended yesterday.

The congressman, known to his constituents for his affection for the distressed, challenged the government town doctors to be more attentive in times like the present when economic woes and abnormal weather put double pressure on people's health.

Guesting the group's fellowship at the Metro Centre Hotel here Thursday night, Chatto pledged continuous support to the efficient service initiatives of the public doctors, they being lead rural health workers.

Dr. Raul Echipare, AMHOP national president and municipal health officer (MHO) of Iba in Zambales; vice president for Luzon, Dr. Delia Agus-Becina of Laguna; and vice president for Visayas, Dr. Melba Billones of Anteque led the oath-takers before Chatto.

Chatto emphasized that efficient delivery of health services deep down the grassroots depends on the commitment and diligence of the rural health workers.

Apart from swearing before the congressman, AMHOP members from across the archipelago showed interest in local best practices.

Modesty aside, Chatto was made to cite his hometown Balilihan's institutionalized health care delivery through the purok system, which got national attention.

Initiated by Chatto himself while he was still mayor of Balilihan, the program reaped for the interior Bohol town the Health and Information Management System (HAMIS) National Gold Award from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Galing Pook Award of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and DILG.

Balilihan RHU doctor, Jude Doblas, also bagged the Dr. Jose Rizal Award for the program.

The acclaimed initiative has been sustained by Chatto's successors.

The AMHOP convention focused on strategies for more efficient and effective rural health services.

Designated resource speakers articulated the Pasay City experience attributed to its e-Health Program and San Carlos City's for its rural health workers' struggle for magna carta benefits.

Governor Erico Aumentado was the keynote speaker during the opening rites of the convention, while Philippine Medical Association (PMA) national head, Dr. Jose Asa Sabili talked in the clinching part of activity.

Chatto lauded AMHOP for launching in Bohol its national search for model government rural doctor.

Meanwhile, the congressman yesterday addressed the graduation of the out-of-school youths and adult learners in the city who finished their informal course in "Accreditation and Equivalency" and Livelihood.

The Tagbilaran City Schools Division carried out the program through its Bureau of Accelerated Learning System.

Then, the congressman proceeded to open the Chatto Cup which showcases the 2008 Congressman Edgar M. Chatto Junior Basketball League and Open Men's Volleyball Tournament at the OLTRA Kolodrome in Poblacion 1, Tagbilaran City.

On Thursday, Chatto, former Bohol president of the Kabataang Barangay (KB), spoke in the National Executive Board Meeting here of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), which national president is Provincial Board Member Jane Censoria Cajes, daughter of Rep. Roberto Cajes of Bohol's Third District and Trinidad Mayor Judith Cajes.