The Philippine National Police (PNP) Health Service is a national support unit that
provides medical, dental, and neuropsychiatric services to PNP personnel and their
dependents. It has a hospital in Camp Crame, Quezon City, and regional medical
units in different parts of the country.
One of the regional medical units is located in Cebu City, which caters to the PNP
personnel in the Visayas region. It also has a medical dental team assigned in Bohol
province to support the local police force.
This was the topic discussed by PLt Myrna Sajulga, a nurse from the PNP Health
Service, in an interview with Ardy Araneta Batoy over station DYTR.
PLt Sajulga explained that the PNP Health Service is here to ensure that the police
are in good health and ready to perform their duties, offering various health
programs for the police, such as physical examinations, immunizations, dental care,
mental health counseling, and referrals to specialists.
She also shared that they conduct regular visits to different police stations and
camps in Bohol to provide medical and dental services, deploying a mobile clinic that
can accommodate up to 20 patients at a time.
She added that they also coordinate with local government units and other agencies
to conduct health education and outreach activities for the community.
PLT Sajulga also mentioned that the PNP Health Service covers not only uniformed
personnel but also non-uniformed personnel (NUP) and authorized civilians who
work for the PNP and they can avail of free medical services at the Camp Crame
hospital or at accredited hospitals in their respective areas.
Sajulga bared that they have two accredited hospitals in Bohol: Gallares Hospital
and Don Emilio Hospital. She said that they can also bring patients to private
hospitals on a case-to-case basis, especially if they are wounded in action or need
urgent treatment, with expenses will be paid by the PNP.
PLT Sajulga also revealed that they have launched a new program called EMPOW,
which stands for Enhanced Monitoring of Police Overall Wellness which aims to
monitor the physical and mental health of the police personnel, especially those who
are aged 40 and above.
Sajulga said aging individuals are more prone to diseases such as hypertension,
diabetes, dyslipidemia, fatty liver, and arthritis, which are the top five illnesses
among the police based on their annual physical exams.
She said that through MPOW, they can detect these diseases early and provide free
medicines and medication for three months.
PLT Sajulga also emphasized the importance of mental health awareness among
the police personnel by conducting seminars on how to cope with stress and how to
recognize the red flags of mental disorders.
She revealed that many police personnel experienced trauma, anxiety, depression,
and other psychological issues due to their work.
The PNP has a neuro-psychiatric office that can provide counseling and treatment
for those who need it, and their chief of neuro-psychiatric office is Police Major Dr.
Lero, who is based in Cebu City.
PSGT Liezel Diola, a community organizing PNCO from the Bohol Provincial
Community Affairs Unit, also shared her insights during the interview.
The interview was well-received by the listeners, who expressed their appreciation
and admiration for the PNP Health Service and its personnel.
The interview also featured other members of the medical dental team in Bohol, such
as PLT Sandra Regala, another nurse who works with PLT Sajulga. The team also
includes Police Staff Sergeant Recardo Serio Jr., Police Staff Sergeant Bog Seres,
and Police Corporal Geraldine Salera.