ROLE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE IN THE MANILA HEALTH DEPARTMENT

I. INTRODUCTION

The Manila Health Department (MHD) is the provider of Primary Health Care
services of the City Government of Manila. MHD was established by
Commonwealth Act 561 on July 1, 1940 and was previously named as the
Department of Health and Welfare in the City of Manila. From then on, the
department spearheaded different programs that promote the welfare of the
residents in the City of Manila especially the urban poor.

At present, there are many health facilities of MHD strategically located in the
Manila Metropolis. Amongst them are 53 Health Centers and 12 Lying in
Centers which primarily utilize the Public Health Nurse in dispensing Primary
Health Care.

II. MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Last 2000, world leaders adopted 8 Millennium Development Goals, set to be

achieved by 2015, and composed of concrete, numerical benchmarks for
tackling extreme poverty, improved education, infectious diseases,
environmental concerns, child and maternal mortality in its many dimensions.
MHD has been rigorous in its campaign to meet the MDG parameters.

III. MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH

One of the pillars in the MHD structure is the Maternal and Child Health
Division. This is involved in the planning, preparation, implementation,
supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the different health programs
related to child and maternal health. In this manner, the Public Health Nurse
assumes the same responsibilities at their assigned communities.

The main thrust of the Maternal and Child Health Division and the role of the
Public Health Nurse as the prime mover in the realization of the MCH agenda
are the following:

a. Maternal Care
 Masterlisting of Pregnant Mothers
 Pre and Post Natal Examination
 Provision of Vitamin A and Iron Supplement
 Assist / Referral to LIC or appropriate health facility
 Tetanus Toxoid Immunization
 Promotion / Implementation of Newborn Screening
b. Safe Motherhood and Women’s Health
 Pre- Marital and Responsible Parenthood Counselling
 Pap’s Smear / Referral of Result
c. Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)
 BCG, DPT, OPV, Hepatitis B, AMV, MMR, H1N1 Immunization
 Supplemental Immunization during Special Activities
 Masterlisting of Infants
d. Control of Diarrheal Diseases (CDD)
  Oral Rehydration Solution Administration to prevent dehydration
 Home fluid therapy

e. Control of Acute Respiratory Infection (CARI)

 Provision of medicines for ARI cases
 Provision of nebulization therapy
f. Under Five Clinic / Growth Monitoring
 Operation Timbang (regular weighing)
 Growth Monitoring
 Recording and Monitoring of Overall Health Status of UFC
g. Promotion of Breastfeeding
 Information on Breastfeeding
 Exclusive Breastfeeding Promotion / Practice in LIC or Home
h. Nutrition
 Supplemental Feeding Support and Supervision
 Micronutrient Supplementation like Iron, Vitamin A and Iodized Capsule
 Promotion of Household utilization of iodized salt
 Supervision of Barangay Health Workers

IV. OTHER DUTIES OF PHN

Aside from the MCH Program, the PHN, after proper training, assists the
Physician Administrator of their health facility in the other MHD Programs
such as:
a. Directly Observed Treatment Short Course Chemotherapy (DOTS) for
Tuberculosis –
- Case Finding, Contact Tracing, Referral and Provision of Anti- Koch
Medicine
- Recording and Reporting of Accomplishments
- Referral / Follow Up of Patients during Diagnostic Committee
- Provision of Medicine for Multi Drug Resistant TB Patients from
Treatment Centers
b. Special Services
- Assist in the Medical Outreach Program (Health on Wheels and
Lingap Medical Dental Mission)
- Blood Donor Recruitment
- Assist in the conduct of ECG, Diabetes Screening and other
examinations as ordered by the Physician Administrator
- Epidemiological Investigation
- Educational Campaign such as IYCF, Mother’s Classes and Clinic
Lectures
- Disaster Medical Response Assistance during Fire, Floods or
Typhoons