Republic of the Philippines PROVINCE OF ISABELA Municipality of San Mateo The Agro- Ecological Destination in Cagayan Valley (Presidential

Proclamation 1685) Office of the Municipality health Officer HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF RHU- SAN MATEO

The Rural Health Unit was established way back late 60's with its original name as Puericulture Center manned by a few health staff. It remained to be Puericulture Center for quite sometime wherein its services focused solely on Maternal health until its program has been expanded and accelerated to child care which includes immunization under the technical supervision of the Department of Health. In the mid 80's, training of staff on the different program of the DOH has been established supported by WHO and UNICEF using the Primary Health Care Approach. Year 1995 was the start of devolution wherein all health facilities including the staff were under the supervision of the LGU as mandated by law. During the transition period of devolution, there has been a lot of changes that led to reduction of accomplishment of various public health program due to insufficiency of manpower and inadequacy of other medical supplies. But it has a remarkable improvement as years went by. In 2007, the RHU had undergone rigid assessment on the physical set of the RHU including the capability of all staff in implementing the different core program of the DOH. Sentrong Sigla certification had been issued and accredited as Sentrong Sigla Phase II thereafter. Few months later, it was accredited as Phil health OPB benefit package facility.On the same year, it was one of the accredited RHU for affiliation and training of Nursing Students. Because of its upgrade health facility and trained skilled staff, RHU San Mateo was one of the 2 Municipalities of Isabela who had been identified and recognized to be a PPMD

(Public Private Mix DOTS) Installation Unit in consonance with the approved operational policies and standards of the National TB program of the DOH with PHILCAT and Global Fund Support. The program was properly implemented in partnership with the private sector and other stakeholders to provide safe and effective DOTS service. It was then the RHU was again accredited as PPMD unit and DOTS accredited. All programs & activities had been sustained with the LGU under the leadership of the Local Chief executive particularly in the delivery of basic health services. Nurses & Midwives also continue to flock in the health facility for voluntary health services and for them to have enough experiences in community health service. Because of its accredited services and well-trained performing staff, The RHU maintained an average of 60 or more patients per day adding-up to the catchment populace of the RHU from the neighboring towns like Cabatuan, Alicia, & Alfonso Lista, Ifugao. It was on January 28, 2009 when the Botika ng Bayan started its full operation where it provides affordable yet high standard medicine to our constituents. These various accreditations, certificate of recognitions & awards on nutrition program, best practices & great innovations for the welfare of our people contributed much of becoming San Mateo a consistent Awardee on the Presidential search for most Child Friendly Municipality. Early part of 2010 where our Lying-in Clinic of the RHU became operational and opens 24 hours. Normal Spontaneous Deliveries continue to increase in number. Its accreditation in PHILHEALTH MCP Package took effect on July 23, 2010.