Many of us are familiar with the story of the barefoot doctors. Way back in the 1940’s, China under the then leadership of Chairman Mao Tse Tung introduced the concept of barefoot doctors when there was an urgent need to render basic medical services in the remote rural areas in China. The medical profession in China was not able to cope up with the increasing demands for more health care services. By 1977, as per internet report, there were over 1.7 million barefoot doctors in China. In 1981, China’s ‘barefoot doctors’ program was abolished when the number of professionally trained doctors and nurses increased. In fact, many of the barefoot doctors in the rural areas enrolled in medical schools to become doctors and nurses.

This concept of barefoot doctors was followed in other countries especially developing countries. Other names were coined though. In the Philippines, the title is barangay health workers; in India, its basic health workers. In other countries, the name is village health workers, or community workers or paramedical workers.

Under Section 3 of our Republic Act No. 7883 otherwise known as “An Act Granting Benefits and Incentives To Accredit Barangay Health Workers and For Other Purposes” – it states that “The term “barangay health workers” refers to a person who has undergone training programs under any accredited government or non-government organization and who voluntarily renders primarily health care services in the community after having been accredited to function as such by the local health board in accordance with the guidance promulgated by the Department of Health (DOH).”

Last February 11th, I was the Guest Speaker at the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Calabanga Federation of Barangay Health Workers. Calabanga is one of the big towns of Camarines Sur. There are one hundred ninety-nine (199) barangay health workers in Calabanga. Fifty (50) of them were given Certificates of Commendation for their long and outstanding service to the Calabanga community. Most of the awardees are senior citizens having served the Calabanga community for a minimum of twenty (20) years. In fact, many of the awardees have been serving the people for more than thirty (30) years.

Duplicating the performance of the Calabanga barangay health workers in other parts of our country – we have a massive group of barangay health workers who are rendering on call, health care services to the people gratis et amore – no salary with honorarium from the local government units (LGUs). And… believe it or not, most of our barangay health workers (BHW) are women. Committed women with a big heart to serve the people.

If one takes a look at the profile of our BHW, the revealing finding is that it’s mostly women who do not belong to the wealthy bracket who are giving and sharing part of themselves to help other people in need of medical services. If I maybe asked to comment on the services rendered by our BHW, I will answer spontaneously that our BHWs are our deserving Heroes/Heroines of our Generation. The contribution alone of our barangay health workers in reducing our infant mortality and maternal mortality as well as the reduction of deaths in barangays in emergency simple medical cases like diarrhea - are more than enough to qualify our barangay health workers to our Hall of Fame. The fulfilling moments of barangay health workers is when they meet the people whom they served and sincerely tell them: “I owe my life to you. I will never forget you.”

All of us have different varied opportunities to render service to our communities – especially to the senior citizens, to the handicapped and disabled and to others in need. Let us give a part of ourselves while we still have the energy to do so. Volunteerism in many humanitarian and civic endeavors is an option to many of us. Try it! And make your life more fulfilling.

By the way, if you are interested to read some of my past articles in the past twenty-four (24) years on business, on health and on human interest – please join me on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/nellyfavisvillafuerte).

Be joyful and kind always!