WELCOME
Established in 1989, Council for Health and Development is the national organization of the Community-Based Health Programs (CBHPs)in the Philippines.
The CBHPs on the other hand started in 1973 in the midst of the martial rule in which health was one of the basic social services that the Filipino people were deprived of.
With 60 member programs, individuals and institutions under its fold, CHD now celebrates more than two decades of working for the people's health and struggling for social change.
National Secretariat
The national secratariat is CHD's center for coordination and resources. Its task are threefold:
assistance to CBHP work
the national secretariat provides support to member-programs and facilitates needs such as education, trainings, financial and organizational needs.networking and organizing
the national secretariat organize and mobilize health students, professionals, institutions, individuals to draw their attention towards the CBHPs and motivate them to put their skills and knowledge to the people who need them most.advocacy work
the national secretariat promotes the CBHPs' alternative approach to health care and acts as the national center for people's issues on health.
Community Based Health Programs
Vision
The CBHPs envision a Philippine society where poverty, powerlessness and all forms of oppression is eliminated. A society that fully guarantees basic rights, sufficiently provides basic needs and where all citizens have the opportunity and power to develop potentials and creativity through the democratic and participatory processes of social institutions.
CBHPs envision a health care system that is nationalistic, relevant, accesible and responsive to the needs of the peopleMission
The CBHPs and institutions functioning as integral parts of a social movement, shall help lay down the foundations of an alternative health care system at the community level.Goals
The CBHP shall help facilitate setting up of people-managed health care system at the community level and ensure mechanisms of access for all levels and type of health care. The CBHPs shall contribute to building people's health movement that will maintain and strengthen the gains of a people-managed health care system and that of the broader movement for social change.
CBHP Strategies
Organizing and Networking
Community organizing is they key to the success of a health care program in the community. In communities without genuine people's organization, the CBHPs help in its formation. IN communities where a genuine people's organization is already active, or after its formation, the CBHPs will provide guidance and assistance to the health committee of the organization.Advocacy and Public Information
The CBHPs criticize the current health care system and propagate people's initiatives and their approaches to health care. This heightens awareness of the people's health issues. It also helps in gathering support from the health sector and the general public for the advancement of people's needs and issues.Education and Training
Community health workers are trained by CBHPs to respond to the health needs of their communities. The training includes understanding of the root causes of the country's health situation, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of common diseases. They provide health services, educate the people and lead the community in campaigns on health and other people's issues.Provision of basic health services
CBHPs provide basic health services and help in establishing appropriate health structures in response to the needs of the communities. They also facilitate access to more specialized care in the town centers or cities.