THE Philippine National Police Health Service (PNP-HS) has been cited by the PNP leadership for its exemplary accomplishments in effectively providing healthcare services to members of the force and the general public since pandemic struck the country in March last year.

PNP chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar presented a Special Unit Award to the PNP-HS headed by Brigadier Gen. Antonino R. Cirujales in recognition of its exemplary accomplishments amid the new normal as well as its ‘prompt and untiring response to police personnel’s need and to the public we serve’ during the recent 120th Police Service Anniversary Celebration at Camp Crame.

The PNP-HS, with its team of doctors, nurses and other administrative and operational support staff rendering public service even beyond office hours, is known for actively supporting different PNP programs like the Lingkod Bayan Advocacy Support Group, the PNP BARANGAYanihan and Recovery and Wellness Programs.

With its different operational units nationwide, the PNP-HS conducts its BARANGAYanihan program every 2nd Saturday and last Saturday of the month to provide food, medical services and other privileges to the community.

It also provide ambulance and medical support to the PNP’s Lingkod Bayan activities which went full blast amid the pandemic.

Under the new normal, the PNP-HS managed to establish its very own Molecular Laboratory, an Operations Center for COVID-19; an OPD ISO 9001:2015-certifed quarantine facilities nationwide; and a Quick Response Team for COVID-19 emergency situations.

It also turned to internet and social media to facilitate fast and effective communication mechanisms, psycho-social support system, tele-counseling, tele-dentistry, tele-medicine, infra and inter-agency linkages for contact tracing and similar functions and likewise enhanced its partnership with local government units for a better COVID-19 response.

The PNP-HS in August 2020 scored a first when it successfully established its very own Molecular Laboratory which now caters to the identification and examination of PNP personnel with suspected COVID-19 thru antigen and RT-PCR tests.

Its Operation Center for COVID-19 is responsible in the collection and consolidation of all data of PP personnel relative to COVID-19 incidents. The center has been very useful in coming up with reliable data representation pertaining to PNP COVID-19 incidents.

The ISO 9001:2015 certification also has earned it more trust and confidence from the people it serves since its clients know they are being served based on the international quality standard set of healthcare services and management.

The PNP leadership also cited the quarantine facilities and Quick Response Teams already established by the different Regional Medical and Dental Units across the country to serve police personnel who have contacted the virus.

The QRTs are composed of PNP-HS personnel equipped with knowledge and skills in handling PNP COVID-19 patients and as a result, help save their lives and prevent the virus from spreading further to the community.

Another project of the Unit which is worthy of mention is its Psychosocial Support System developed by the PNP General Hospital Department of Psychiatry. The system addresses the psychological needs of PNP personnel involved in traumatic experiences in the performance of their duties especially those in the field.

At present, the neuro-psychiatry personnel conducts psychosocial support intervention/stress debriefing and stress management to PNP personnel involved in traumatic encounters to ensure the normal psychological status of concerned police officers prior to their return to official duties and responsibilities.

It also provides tele-counseling for PNP COVID-19 patients to help lessen the emotional and psychological effect brought about by COVID-19 to all PNP personnel.

The PNP-HS thru its Dental and Oral Surgery Center is also offering tele-dentistry which is an alternative way of facilitating dental management such as consultation, tele-triaging, monitoring and appointment for dental procedure and guidance on oral health care awareness instead of face-to-face and physical visit amid the pandemic.

Its home oral care program since last year have provided services such as simple extraction, fluoride varnish application and distribution of toothbrush and toothpaste and informative materials on oral health care awareness.

Last but not the very least it its successful ‘telemedicine’ program which has been proven to be a safe and efficient method of consultation and prescription performed by competent PNP doctors on a 24-hour basis across the country.

Brig. Gen. Cirujales, a member of Philippine Military Academy ‘Tanglaw Diwa’ Class of 1992 was named PNP-HS director by Gen. Eleazar with the retirement last September 9 of Brig. Gen. Luisito P. Magnaye of PMA ‘Sambisig’ Class of 1991.