The Mountain Province Health Board has adopted measures to improve the use of health resources and standardize services, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA).

“We want to make sure that the resources we have, no matter how minimal they are, are properly utilized for the benefit of our people, especially those from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr. said Tuesday.

The health board approved three resolutions during its meeting Monday covering guidelines for the province’s mobile clinic, adoption of national clinical practice guidelines and a procurement system to ensure the availability of medicines and other health supplies.

The mobile clinic guidelines allow the vehicle to be used only for official health-related activities, including medical, dental and surgical outreach, public health programs, emergency and disaster response, health promotion and screening, and vaccination campaigns.

The guidelines cover requests, approval, dispatch, operation, maintenance, fuel and other operating expenses, safety, sanitation, reporting and accountability.

They also require proper management of government property, medical equipment, supplies and other resources assigned to the mobile clinic.

The mobile clinic may not be used for private, personal, political, commercial or other unauthorized activities.

The health board also approved a provincewide health system aimed at ensuring consistent quality of care across facilities.

The Provincial Health Office was tasked with maintaining an updated compendium of clinical practice guidelines and case management protocols and disseminating them to licensed health professionals and facilities in coordination with professional organizations, hospitals, local government units and other institutions.

Primary care facilities are expected to use applicable national practice guidelines and approved case management protocols to guide clinical decisions, referrals and continuity of care in line with the Universal Health Care Law.

The third resolution focuses on procurement and supply chain management to ensure the timely availability, proper use and accountability of medicines, medical supplies, equipment and other health commodities.

Lacwasan said the measures are intended to strengthen health service delivery, standardize practices and improve coordination and accountability under the Mountain Province-wide health system.

“It is not just ensuring that services reach the people, but proper care is extended and logistics are available to complete the delivery of health to our people,” he said. (PNA)