Manila, Feb. 2 -- Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos and Abra lone district Rep. JB Bernos are pushing for the passage of a measure institutionalizing the training and employment of health workers who belong to indigenous communities to ensure that such communities have access to primary healthcare.

House Bill No. 6533, or the Tribal Health Workers (THW) bill, seeks the appointment of THWs to all tribal communities located about 10 kilometers from the barangay center, with one worker appointed for every thirty families.

"The THWs will act as a bridge between mainstream health services and indigenous communities. We envision them providing culturally sensitive primary healthcare using both modern and indigenous knowledge," Rep. Chi...