Seven more local government units (LGUs) in Negros Island Region (NIR) are getting the services of physicians deployed under the Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) Program of the Department of Health (DOH).

These include the municipalities of E. B. Magalona, Moises Padilla, Murcia and Pontevedra in Negros Occidental as well as Amlan, Bindoy, and Santa Catalina in Negros Oriental.

As of Monday, the DOH-NIR Health Human Resource Development Unit has endorsed the doctors to their respective assignments after they attended an orientation and paid a courtesy call to Regional Director Razel Nikka Hao at the DOH regional office in Dumaguete City on July 6.

“These doctors do not choose where they will go – they are sent where the need is greatest. In that selfless act lies the true spirit of public service,” the DOH-NIR said in a statement.

Comprising the DTTB Batch 44 who will provide healthcare services to underserved and hard-to-reach communities in the region are Dr. Remel Tasic, Dr. Raia Val Laureen Tababa, Dr. Aldrin Ikher Bandiola, Dr. Celine Canlas, Dr. Lynda Bianca Arias, Dr. Rizza Mae Causing, and Dr. Elan Joseph Peraren.

They are the second batch of physicians deployed by the DOH-NIR this year after the initial seven assigned to La Libertad and Siaton in Negros Oriental, and Calatrava, Toboso, San Enrique, Escalante City, and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental last February.

A strategy under the National Health Workforce Support System, the DTTB aims to provide equitable healthcare services nationwide by deploying competent, committed, community-oriented, and dedicated physicians to serve the inaccessible barrios in the identified LGUs for three years.

LGUs without permanent physicians are provided with much-needed medical leadership to strengthen primary care services, improve local health systems, and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare. (PNA)