RHU Catchment Area

Rural Health Unit (RHU) Catchment Areas

A hospital catchment area is traditionally defined as the "geographic area that is defined and served by the hospital." Extending this concept to primary care, a Rural Health Unit's (RHU) catchment area refers to the specific geographic zone where the RHU is responsible for delivering essential primary healthcare services. These areas ensure that communities have equitable access to public health programs, preventive care, and medical interventions.

In the Municipality of Rosario, Batangas, the Department of Health (DOH) CALABARZON Center for Health Development has designated two Rural Health Units to provide these critical services:

1. Rosario Rural Health Unit I
   Located in Barangay Poblacion B, this RHU serves as a central healthcare facility for the urban barangays and nearby communities. It offers primary care services such as maternal and child health programs, immunizations, basic medical consultations, and disease prevention initiatives.

2. Rosario Rural Health Unit II
   Situated in Barangay Alupay, this RHU extends healthcare services to rural and remote areas of the municipality. Its role is particularly vital in ensuring that healthcare reaches underserved populations, addressing the specific health needs of those living in outlying barangays.

The RHU Catchment Areas framework enables these facilities to efficiently allocate resources, focus on the specific health challenges of their respective zones, and implement targeted healthcare interventions. By clearly defining the geographic boundaries of their responsibilities, RHUs can provide timely and effective primary care services, contributing to the overall health and resilience of the community.

This localized approach not only strengthens the healthcare delivery system in Rosario but also ensures that every resident has access to the basic health services they need. DRRM Rosario highlights these RHU catchment areas to emphasize their importance in disaster preparedness, health risk management, and equitable access to care.

References:

1. Administrative Order No. 2006-0004 - Guidelines for the Issuance of Certificate of Need to Establish a New Hospital. (2006, March 13). Retrieved November 28, 2024, from Department of Health (DOH) Central Luzon Center for Health Development: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bTD1rjM9ZmotctAAjl1mIdU3cUEYgs4v/view?usp=share_link

2. Quality Standard List for Rural Health Units and Health Centers Level 1. (2000, October). Retrieved from Department of Health (DOH) Sentrong Sigla Movement Certification and Recognition Program: https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pnact300.pdf

3. Department of Health (DOH). (2020, April 13). MANUAL OF STANDARDS FOR PRIMARY CARE FACILITIES. Retrieved from https://www.washinhcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/PCF-Manual_FULL_13Apr2020.pdf

4. LIST OF RURAL HEALTH UNITS. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2024, from Department of Health (DOH) CALABARZON Center for Health Development: https://ro4a.doh.gov.ph/rural-health-units/