The Visayas Primary Healthcare Services, Inc. continues to disseminate information on COVID-19 in communities which have trained community health workers (CHWs) during this time of community quarantine.
With restrictions on public transportation to travel to the communities, VPHCS staff relied primarily on its trained CHWs residing in the communities to disseminate the information and to ensure that their neighbors practice the minimum health measures. These health protocols include, wearing of face masks at all times outside their homes, at least one meter apart physical distancing, frequent hand washing with soap and water, proper cough etiquette, and regular cleaning of the houses.
Copies of primers on COVID-19 were also distributed by the trained CHWs to their residents.
The four-page primer which is written in Cebuano dialect, explains the basic facts of COVID-19, its cause, signs and symptoms, methods of transmission, and ways of prevention. The CHWs were oriented about COVID-19 during a forum organized by the VPHCS on March 21, 2020 held in the Pilgrim Center in the Basilica Church compound.
The VPHCS staff doctor also accepted medical consultations through cell phone video calls with patients referred to her by the trained CHWs. Patients who presented with mild symptoms of COVID-19 were advised to go to their local Barangay Emergency Health Response Team for proper management.
