"Harmony in Health: A Tropically Inspired

Barangay Health Center with Integrated

Birthing Facility
Purpose and Objectives:

Background and Rational The "Harmony in Health" project seeks to

provide primary healthcare services to the
residents of the community and
The "Harmony in Health" project is a unique neighboring areas. The project draws
inspiration from the principles of Modern
initiative inspired by the Barangay Health Filipino Architecture and Tropical
Centers in the Philippines. These centers Architecture, emphasizing sustainability
and cultural sensitivity. The primary
have been providing comprehensive and objective is to create a healthcare facility
culturally sensitive primary healthcare that goes beyond the typical healthcare
facilities by providing a unique oasis.
services since 1991. The project aims to go Additionally, the project includes a birthing
beyond traditional healthcare design by facility that caters to the specific needs of
merging the principles of Tropical expectant mothers and newborns. This
expansion ensures comprehensive maternal
Architecture with Modern Filipino aesthetics. and child healthcare services at the
The goal is to create a pioneering facility that barangay level.

considers accessibility, functionality, and the Architectural Design Considerations:

impact of harmonizing health services with
The design of the healthcare facility
the unique cultural and climatic context of incorporates tropical elements into
the Philippines. modern, functional architecture, creating a
harmonious relationship with the hot and
humid Philippine climate. The design
The project's scope includes an integrated prioritizes passive cooling, natural
ventilation, and aesthetically pleasing
birthing facility that draws inspiration from spaces to enhance the overall healthcare
the International Conference on Population experience.
and Development (ICPD) in 1994 and the Design Strategies:
World Conference on Women in Beijing in
1995. These conferences emphasized the vital The following design strategies aim to
provide guidance to Design 3 students in
human right of access to quality healthcare, developing innovative solutions that
particularly for women. The new birthing address the challenges facing the BHC
facility while ensuring comprehensive
facility will address the pressing need for maternal and child healthcare services
improved maternal and child health services among the residents of the barangay
community.
and align with global and national goals for
inclusive and specialized healthcare. 1. Innovative Construction Technology:

Adopt innovative construction methods that

prioritize efficiency and sustainability for
the health center and birthing facility,
 avoiding the traditional destructive- Integrated Care Pathway can further support natural birth within
rebuilding cycle. these facilities (Clarke, 2007). Nurse-midwife-led models of care,
such as the Family Health and Birth Center, have been found to
2. Cost-Effectiveness: better meet the needs of underserved populations (Lubic, 2010).
However, the necessity for immediate access to conventional
Prioritize the use of local or cost-effective obstetric facilities has also been highlighted (Barton, 1980).
materials for both components, ensuring
alignment with the limited budgets of Case Studies with Analysis and Conclusion
Barangay Health Centers.
Case Study: Transforming Barangay Health Center in
3. Disaster Resilience: Barangay Sta. Juana
Ensure both the health center and birthing
facility are typhoon and earthquake Background:
resistant, functioning seamlessly during
disasters and emergencies. The Barangay Health Center (BHC) in Barangay Sta.
Juana has been providing basic healthcare services to
4. Sustainable Site and Building: the local community for several decades. However, the
Incorporate sustainable practices like
center faced many challenges over time, including
solar heat management, natural inadequate facilities, limited resources, and a growing
ventilation, water utilization, waste population. Recognizing the need for improvement,
minimization, and a life-cycle perspective
the local government embarked on a transformative
for a holistic approach to health and
wellness. journey to revitalize the BHC and enhance its capacity
to meet the healthcare needs of the community.
Space Requirements:

Health Center Spaces: Objectives:

The objectives of the transformation of BHC were:
- Waiting area
- Admission area
- Treatment/consultation area (at least 1 1. To improve accessibility and quality of healthcare
general practitioner and 1 dentist)
- Administrative offices services.
- Staff lounge 2. To enhance infrastructure and facilities to create a
- Immunization area
more conducive environment for patients and staff.
- Storage facilities
- Parking, with emergency slot 3. To strengthen community engagement and
- Waste disposal area participation in healthcare initiatives.
- Other necessary spaces as per the
existing BHC design 4. To promote sustainability and resilience in
healthcare delivery.
Birthing Facility Spaces:

- Pre-natal & examination room Strategies Implemented:

- Midwife station The following strategies were implemented to achieve
- Labor room
- Delivery room these objectives:
- Postnatal care area
- Neonatal care facilities
- Ward
1. Infrastructure Upgrade: The BHC underwent a
- Family waiting area comprehensive renovation, including the expansion of
- Sanitary facilities designed for existing facilities, installation of modern medical
postpartum care
equipment, and implementation of infection control
measures. This upgrade aimed to improve the quality
of care and enhance patient experience.
Review of Related Literature

2. Technology Integration: The BHC integrated

The integration of birthing facilities within health centers has been
shown to provide quality, cost-effective care for low-income technology into its operations to streamline
populations (Swartz, 1998). This model, when combined with a administrative tasks, improve communication, and
collaborative practice approach, can lead to lower resource
enhance healthcare delivery. This included the
utilization and costs (Swartz, 1998). The development of an
 implementation of electronic health records (EHR)
systems, telemedicine services, and digital Site Profile and Analysis — SWOT, Site Analysis &
communication platforms to facilitate remote justification of
consultations and follow-up care. building placement

3. Capacity Building: The BHC invested in training and

capacity building initiatives for healthcare providers
and staff to enhance clinical skills, cultural
competence, and patient-centered care practices. This
included workshops, seminars, and continuing
education programs conducted in partnership with
academic institutions and professional organizations.

Analysis:
The transformation of the Barangay Health Center in
Barangay Sta. Juana has yielded several positive
outcomes:

1. Improved Access to Care: The infrastructure upgrade

and expansion of services have resulted in improved
access to healthcare services for residents of Barangay
Sta. Juana. Patients now have access to a wider range
of services, including primary care, maternal and child
health, and preventive screenings.

2. Enhanced Quality of Care: The integration of

technology and capacity-building initiatives has
enhanced the quality of care delivered at the BHC. [1] Lubic, R. (2010). The Family Health and Birth Center--a nurse-
Healthcare providers are better equipped to diagnose midwife-managed center in Washington, DC.
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-Family-Health-and-
and treat patients effectively, while digital Birth-Center--a-center-in-DC.-Lubic-
communication platforms have improved coordination Flynn/0764c0896088115d782fc43eaebe84a72d332438
and collaboration among multidisciplinary care teams.
4. Sustainability and Resilience: The BHC's emphasis on [2]Ocampo, L., Ebisa, J. A., Ombe, J., & Escoto, M. G.
sustainability and resilience has ensured the long-term (2018). Sustainable ecotourism indicators with fuzzy
viability of healthcare services in Barangay Sta. Juana. Delphi method – A Philippine perspective. Ecological
By investing in infrastructure, technology, and capacity Indicators, 93, 874–888.
building, the BHC is better prepared to withstand https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.05.060
challenges such as natural disasters, pandemics, and [3] A.H., Patel, Viner, R. (2016). Our future: a
resource constraints. Lancet commission on adolescent health and
wellbeing. The Lancet, 387(10036), 2423–2478.
Conclusion: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(16)00579-1
The transformation of the Barangay Health Center in
Barangay Sta. Juana serves as a model for how local
governments can revitalize healthcare infrastructure
and improve access to quality care in underserved
communities. By prioritizing community engagement,
technology integration, and sustainability, the BHC has
successfully enhanced healthcare delivery and
empowered residents to lead healthier lives.