Davao City Offers Free Physical Therapy to Stroke Patients, Including Home Visits for Bedridden Survivors

DAVAO CITY — Stroke survivors in Davao City now have access to free community-based physical therapy, including house-to-house rehabilitation support for patients who are bedridden and unable to easily travel to a healthcare facility.

The program is being implemented by the Davao City Health Office (CHO) as part of an effort to help stroke survivors regain mobility, improve motor functions and receive continuing support after a stroke.

City health personnel also work with families to teach them how to provide appropriate long-term care at home.

Free rehabilitation reaches patients at home

The initiative is particularly important for stroke survivors who have difficulty moving or leaving their homes.

According to Vincent Arcete, resident physical therapist and certified stroke rehabilitation specialist at the Davao City CHO, the program includes house-to-house visits for bedridden patients.

The goal is not simply to provide temporary relief, but to help patients work toward recovering daily motor functions and maintaining their rehabilitation over time.

Arcete also emphasized that stroke survivors should not simply remain bedridden without active rehabilitation.

Recovery after a stroke can require ongoing rehabilitation, depending on the patient's condition and the parts of the body affected. Physical therapy can form an important part of that recovery process.

Physical therapy is more than traditional massage

Arcete also addressed a common misconception about physical therapy.

He explained that professional rehabilitation should not be confused with hilot or traditional massage, emphasizing that physical therapy involves assessment and structured rehabilitation rather than simply massaging affected parts of the body.

He also pushed back against the perception that professional physical therapy is automatically too expensive for ordinary families.

Through the CHO's community program, eligible residents can receive the service without cost.

Barangay health workers help identify patients

The program uses patient-tracking information provided by Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in different communities.

This allows the city health team to identify stroke survivors who may need rehabilitation and connect them with appropriate services.

Barangay-level cooperation is especially important for patients who may have difficulty traveling because of limited mobility.

Arcete said the CHO cannot sustain the initiative by itself and needs cooperation from nurses, midwives, barangay officials and health workers.

The program's broader advocacy centers on hope, action and community participation.

Program is still being formalized

Although the service is already being provided, Arcete said the initiative is relatively new.

The CHO is still organizing its formal policies, protocols and clinical guidelines for the program.

This means that the operational framework is continuing to be developed even as the city health team begins serving patients.

For families interested in the service, proper assessment and medical clearance remain important before rehabilitation begins.

Families are urged to seek professional care

The CHO is also reminding families not to rely on unlicensed practitioners when dealing with stroke recovery.

Stroke is a medical emergency, and rehabilitation should follow appropriate medical assessment.

Families should also avoid delaying treatment when someone develops possible stroke symptoms. The immediate priority during a suspected stroke is obtaining emergency medical attention—not attempting massage or home treatment first.

Once the patient has been medically assessed, rehabilitation can become part of the longer recovery journey.

How Dabawenyos can access the program

Patients and their families who want to inquire about the free service are advised to coordinate with the Davao City Health Office, Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), or their local barangay health center.

These channels can help determine the appropriate assessment and intervention for the patient.

For bedridden stroke survivors and families struggling to access rehabilitation, the house-to-house component could be particularly valuable.

A community approach to stroke recovery

Stroke recovery does not necessarily end when a patient leaves the hospital.

For many survivors, the road back to greater independence can involve continued rehabilitation, family support and regular medical follow-up.

Davao City's free community-based physical therapy program aims to bring some of that support closer to patients—particularly those who cannot easily travel.

The initiative also highlights an important reality of stroke recovery: rehabilitation is not something patients should have to face alone.

With healthcare workers, barangay officials and families working together, the city hopes to make continued rehabilitation more accessible to stroke survivors across Davao City.

For families who have a loved one recovering from a stroke, the first step is to seek proper medical assessment and contact the appropriate city or barangay health office to determine whether the patient can access the program.

In Davao City, help with stroke rehabilitation is now being brought closer to home.

WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D