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Sunday, March 5, 2017
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ILOILO City – At a time when there is a great need for doctors, the country lost “a dedicated and exceptional true Doctor of the Barrio,” according to the Department of Health (DOH).
In a Facebook post, the Health department paid tribute to Batan, Aklan’s Dr. Dreyfuss Perlas who was shot dead by a still unidentified assailant on March 1 in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.
“DOH deplores this act of violence. We lost a worthy public servant (known for his) unselfish dedication to duty,” the Health department lamented.
Perlas, a 31-year-old rural physician, was born to a middle-class family in Aklan but despite financial challenges, he was a consistent achiever.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology/zoology from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, his Doctor of Medicine degree from the West Visayas State University – College of Medicine, and his master in public management, major in health system and development from the Development Academy of the Philippines.
Due to financial constraints during his medical education, Perlas entered the Bagong Doktor Para sa Bayan scholarship program of the First Gentleman Foundation.
To fulfill his return to service agreement for his medical education scholarship, he joined DOH’s Doctors to the Barrio program after passing the Physician Licensure Exam in 2012.
Although Perlas had the option of staying in his hometown, he chose to be deployed to the marginalized and underserved area of Sapad, Lanao del Norte for two years.
According to DOH, Perlas was active in various medical missions and emergency response teams at Northern Mindanao’s regional health office and was one of the early responders to care for patients affected by typhoon “Pablo” in Boston, Davao Oriental; the Nunungan Ambush in Nunungan, Lanao del Norte; and the Moro National Liberation Front standoff in Zamboanga City.
While in Sapad, Perlas successfully lobbied for the renovation of the old rural health unit (RHU), which was also granted equipment, supplies and medicine.
He also facilitated its accreditation for primary care benefits and a tuberculosis package in 2013, and a maternity care package in 2014. Newborn screening was fully implemented in the RHU in 2015, said DOH.
Before his death, Perlas was working for a laboratory and a new lying-in clinic for the RHU.
He also lobbied for mandatory immunization for children five years old and below, leading to the passage of an ordinance in 2013.
Perlas sustained a gunshot wound to his back. Police ruled out robbery as motive for the crime because none of Perlas’ belongings were missing.
“We deeply mourn the loss of Dr. Dreyfuss Perlas, who was one of the few doctors who dared to work in difficult and underserved communities,” the department said on Facebook.
DOH is giving a posthumous Bayani ng Kalusugan Award to Perlas. This award honors individuals and organizations that have rendered time, effort and a part of their lives in meaningful contribution to move the country closer to Universal Health Care. (Philippine News Agency/PN)
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