Victims of violence may now avail of teleconsult services

Women and child abuse victims may soon have their medical checkup follow-up through their barangays once the “TELE-CPU Center sa Barangay Teleconsultation Project” is up and running.
The TELE-CPU Center sa Barangay Teleconsultation Project is a joint undertaking of the Child Protection Network, Unicef, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center-Women and Children Protection Unit (BGHMC-WCPU), the city government of Baguio, and the pilot barangays through a memorandum of agreement signed earlier.
Dr. Leanne Acosta of the BGHMC-WCPU said the project aims to reach victims of abuse in times of pandemic where there is no transportation, when regular helping professionals such as social workers and doctors may not be as accessible to them, and where children can also seek help such as schools are closed.
“The BGHMC WCPU services will be made accessible to the victims of violence who may also encounter socioeconomic challenges and may be further placed at greater risk because of the lockdown,” Acosta said.
The recipients are Punong Barangay (PB) Jaime Candido and Erlinda Dulnuan of Asin; May Gonzales and Annabelle Tamayo of Aurora Hill; PB Angelina Ramos and Susan Habbiling of Camp 7; PB Joel Bangloy and Vicente Fali-it of East Quirino Hill; Arlene Andaya and Girlie Bayan of Fairview; PB Arthur Carlos and Connie Luna of Irisan; PB Eduardo Emmanuel Cayetano and Mary Chiday of Loakan Proper; PB Abraham Lagasca and Linda Dulo of Pacdal; PB George Saguid, Jr. and Basil Libreja of San Luis; PB Luis Dulagan and Diaden Duday of San Vicente.
The 10 pilot barangays will be scheduled for training on recognizing, reporting, recording, and referring of abuse and basic case management of abuse cases. 
Acosta said the BGHMC-WCPU hotlines will be provided for medical consultation follow-ups while initial consultations will still be conducted on a face-to-face manner through the facility.
“Our goal is to train and orient the pilot barangays first so we can assess how the system will work, after that, we can expand in the other barangays in the future,” she said. – Jessa P. Samidan