“Bakit ngayon lang?” (Why only now?) asked Lilia Cepe of Taguig as she expressed gratitude for the wealth of information and the training she gained since she became a Visions of Hope (VOH) community health volunteer.
Lilia is
one of 51 community health volunteers mentored by VOH doctors and nurses so
that they are able to conduct lectures on several health-related topics in
communities where the Center for Community Transformation works. Some of
the health volunteers were also taught how to take blood pressure as well as read
blood sugar level, body temperature, and body weight using basic medical
equipment.
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| VOH community health volunteers from Caloocan City show their certificates after attending a VOH training on tuberculosis in March. Health training sessions such as this enable volunteers to train others in their community. (Photo by the VOH health team) |
The VOH
health team recognizes the volunteers’ contribution in spreading health
information. "The role these volunteers play in saving lives in poor
neighborhoods is significant," said Dr. John Tabije, Peer Servant for VOH Health
Care Program. "Those who attend the lectures will be able to
recognize symptoms of dreaded diseases immediately and hopefully seek medical
help before it's too late, they will understand the importance of taking
medicine as scheduled, and will generally be more knowledgeable of the
illnesses that can affect them and their families."
During a
Christmas fellowship on December 13, 2012, Juditha Jordan of Las Pinas
was honored for conducting the most number of health lectures in 2012 --
11 lectures attended by a total of 191 participants. "Sagot sa panalangin ko ang pagiging
bahagi ng VOH" (My involvement with VOH is an answer to prayer), Lilia
Cepe said during the same activity.
Aside
from training community health volunteers, the VOH health team holds clinic consultations, medical and dental missions, Operation Tuli (circumcision),
feeding, and pap smear and blood sugar tests, among others.
