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(D5) BRGY MARAHAN I: RABIES, ORANGE RAINFALL WARNING, AND THE HEART OF A PUBLIC HEALTH SERVANT

Kailangan natin pumasok kasi tignan mo, marami pa rin pumupunta (sa health center)


 Classes were suspended today. again. for half a day. It was hard to travel to Alfonso, especially in the current weather condition of heavy rains. But we pushed through. We still managed to go as early as 7:30 for our duty. Since today is Monday, it is required for the RHU to conduct flag ceremony inside the office. The rain was so harsh today, but the programs pushed through. Regardless of the weather, there are still patients showing up for consult. After the flag ceremony, Alfonso RHU gave us a talk regarding rabies, how it is contracted, reasons, and the right actions to do in cases of dog / cat bites. What I noticed during these talks are the adjustment of the speakers in putting the level of knowledge in a level that all people understand. They do not use medical jargons or complicated explanations but rather use terms that are easily understood by the public. This made me realize the future role that I should be molded into once I become a Doktor ng Bayan—someone who can connect and communicate to all level of audiences; may it be in conferences or public talks in a barangay. 




After the rabies seminar / talk, we are deployed into our different duties. I was tasked to go to Brgy Marahan with Nurse Nica. Most of the RHU nurses and midwives did not go to their Barangays today, except 2 nurses, and one of them is nurse Nica. Upon arrival, we are met with patients who are in need of immunization, consult, and asking for prescription. It was a busy day for Brgy Marahan. More than five babies showed up for their routine immunization, and some mothers went for their family planning consult and vaccine. I was able to assist them even in the smallest service such as providing umbrella while they walk towards the health center. It was just in the morning. The patients never stopped coming even though it was raining so hard. As early as 11 am, Mayor Salamat already suspended the classes, and Cavite is under orange rainfall warning. This started a buzz of conversation inside the center about absences and suspension. Nurse Nica explained to us that she went to the Barangay today as to not to delay the scheduled vaccines of babies. She mentioned that most of the time, even though the weather was bad, some patients still show up to the center for their scheduled immunization. This inspired me to be resilient regardless of the external and environmental circumstances. Patient care and service is still needed even when there is heavy rain or class suspension. The need for health access does not stop when suspension occurs. This made me realize the weight and responsibility of a health worker. 




We are immune to disasters; we should be the resilient servants who are willing to provide service even when it seems inconvenient for us to go to work. It is a sacrifice and a noble profession to take part in. And in the near future, if ever there will be a time where I have to work and the environment may go against me, I will draw inspiration in the likes of Nurse Nica who persisted against these obstacles just to do her part in the healthcare system. 

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