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August 10, 2010<BR>
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<B>Reference: Sr. Edit Eslopor, OSB – 881-0910 </B><BR>
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<B>Media Release</B><BR>
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<DIV ALIGN=center>Community based health programs gather to reaffirm commitment to serve amid repression and economic crisis</DIV><BR>
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In the light of the intensifying persecution of health workers in the Philippines, health professionals and volunteer Community Health Workers (CHWs) gather today in an assembly meant to reaffirm their dedication and commitment to serve impoverished communities. Themed <I>“reaffirm our commitment to serve the people amidst intensifying repression and worsening economic crisis”</I>, the event is Council for Health and Development’s (CHD) 10th General Assembly of Community Based Health Programs in the Philippines.<BR>
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“Delegates come from different regions such as Bicol, Southern Tagalog, Central Luzon, National Capital Region, Eastern Visayas, Central and Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, SOCSSARGENDS, and the Zamboanga Peninsula who have braved and survived different risks in community health service,” Sister Edit Eslopor, OSB, chairperson of the Board of Trustees of CHD said.<BR>
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She added that Community Health Workers themselves are victims of continuous harassments. “Despite the odds, community based health programs staff and CHWs hold on to their commitment to serve the poor and put people’s interests above self,” Sr. Edit shared.<BR>
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“What happened to the ‘Morong 43’ may have sowed fear among our CHWs and CBHP staff, but it is only temporary. CBHPs have been around since 1973 and have endured countless obstacles but because of the ever worsening condition of our public health care system and the absence of basic social services especially in the rural areas, the need for community based health programs continue to arise and prove its effectiveness through various social and economic conditions,” she furthered.<BR>
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Council for Health and Development is the national secretariat of more than 50 community based health programs in the Philippines. Along with Community Medicine Development Foundation (COMMED), they sponsored the “First Responders’ Health Skills Training” in Morong, Rizal where 43 health workers in the training were illegally arrested and detained. ##<BR>
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