The Balilihan Countryside Action Program (CAP): Primary
Health Care through Purok Initiative is a collaborative
effort of the local chief executive, rural health units,
and the line agencies, to enhance the delivery of the basic
health services at the purok, typically a group of 10 to
25 families living in a contiguous area.
The purok built their own cluster houses from their own
funds. They met monthly to discuss problems and formulate
strategies for health services; conduct Operation Timbang,
nutri-feeding, health education programs, immunization,
and first aid.
Primary health care was integrated with livelihood, environment,
and sanitation activities to sustain the health condition
of the residents as shown by a decrease in infant/maternal
mortality and decrease in malnutrition.
The program demonstrated the effectiveness of puroks in
facilitating people’s participation and as a delivery
mechanism for health and other programs.
