Efficiency Analysis of the Community Health Programs of the Partido District in the Philippines

Abstract

The study assessed the efficiency of the community health programs (CHPs) of the Partido District. It surveyed the incidence of primary health problems that confronted the rural health unit (RHU) and estimated the budget allocation of the local government unit (LGU) on the CHP. It traced the remuneration scheme, services rendered, and work-related background of the barangay/village health worker (BHW). It utilized survey, key informant interview and written document analysis in gathering data. To assess efficiency, the Data Envelopmental Analysis (DEA) was used where the ten municipalities of the district were considered as Decision-Making Units (DMU). The top health problems were malnutrition, tuberculosis and tropical diseases. The LGU’s annual budget for health was PhP0-30,000. Most BHWs rendered blood pressure monitoring and house visitation. They worked four times a month and covered one zone. A few were accredited BHW and all had no civil service eligibility. Their pay was way below the legal minimum wage. Based on the DEA calculation, the efficiency was relatively higher in three municipalities – Lagonoy, Caramoan and Garchitorena. However, these were also the municipalities which allocated small amount of funds and resources on health, including compensation for BHW. The study posited that the high efficiency level may be at the expense of the CHP workforce.