The PHAPCares Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), has undertaken a number of partnerships aimed at bringing quality healthcare to communities.
PHAPCares Foundation-La Union Provincial Health Office partnership
As part of its commitment to improve healthcare in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA), PHAPCares Foundation recently launched an oral health initiative towards kindergarten pupils under its Kalinga Program for Sustainable Healthcare and Social Development.
The “Oral Health Program for Kindergarten Pupils” took place on October 17-18, across four GIDA communities in La Union.
This initiative provided on-site oral health assessments and preventive education for kindergarten pupils from Barangay Casilagan Integrated School, Sta. Monica Elementary School, Cabalayangan Elementary School, and Urbiztondo Elementary School.
The goal was to enhance oral health awareness among young children, their parents, and educators, fostering a community of informed individuals dedicated to promoting optimal oral hygiene.
The program includes plans to monitor participants’ oral health until they reach Grade 3, recognizing that effective education and preventive measures require ongoing support beyond one-time visits.
By continuously tracking progress, the program addresses immediate concerns and fosters lifelong healthy habits, ensuring that young children maintain optimal oral hygiene. This commitment to long-term monitoring emphasizes the value of sustained engagement, ultimately contributing to a healthier future for the community.
This program was brought to life through the combined efforts of the La Union Provincial Health Office, the municipalities of Bauang and San Juan, the Department of Health Center for Health Development-1 (DOH CHD-1), Schools Division Office of La Union and volunteer dentists of PHAPCares Foundation.
The Philippine Dental Association (PDA) La Union Chapter also played a crucial role by providing expertise and resources to ensure the program’s success.
The activity was also warmly supported by local leaders, including Gov. Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Hermie Velasco, and DepEd Schools Division Superintendent Jorge M. Reinante.
The program’s success will serve as a model for expanding similar initiatives to other GIDA communities across the country.
Overall, this initiative embodies PHAPCares’ broader mission to improve primary care services. It strengthens the Primary Care Provider Network (PCPN) within GIDA communities, in alignment with the goals of the Universal Health Care Law.
PHAPCares strengthens commitment to youth health, schistosomiasis control with 2 key strategic partnerships
The PHAPCares Foundation continues to advance its mission of sustainable healthcare and social development through two groundbreaking initiatives.
These partnerships focus on youth health advocacy and the control of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis benefiting communities across the Philippines.
Healthy Youth, Healthy Future: Addressing Adolescent Health Issues in Iloilo
The “Healthy Youth, Healthy Future Project,” part of PHAPCares’ flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, aims to transform the lives of over 30,000 adolescents in Iloilo by addressing critical health issues, including teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, mental health, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes.
This two-year program is launched in collaboration with AstraZeneca’s Young Health Program and focuses on educating 10 to 19-year-olds in the municipalities of Carles, Mina, and Pototan in Iloilo.
In partnership with the Provincial Health Office (PHO), the Municipal Health Offices (MHO), the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Office of Iloilo, Sangguniang Kabataan and the Department of Health (DOH-CHD 6) Regional Office, the project’s goal is to reach 80% of adolescents in the target areas.
Alongside education efforts, the initiative will establish a Youth Adolescent Center to serve as a hub for health advocacy and support services.
It will also develop a network of 210 Local Health Youth Champions, consisting of peer educators trained to mentor their peers and promote healthy behaviors.
Additionally, this project aims to reach out to Barangay Health Workers and other healthcare workers who will serve as mentors and guardians of the Local Health Youth Champions.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing was held on October 21 at the Governor’s Office. This was followed by strategic planning sessions on October 22-23 at Sams 21 Hotel, where stakeholders mapped out the project’s implementation strategies.
Key figures involved are Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon from the PHO, DepEd Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ernesto F. Sevillon, Jr., and the mayors of the three municipalities—Carles’ Mayor Siegfredo Betita, Mina’s Mayor Lydia Grabato, and Pototan’s Mayor Rafael Enrique Lazaro.
The Healthy Youth, Healthy Future Project hopes to make a lasting impact on Iloilo’s youth by fostering healthier lifestyles and better access to healthcare information.
The project covers 80% of the adolescent population in these areas and provides preventive health education and medical services in partnership with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.
Adolescents in the Philippines face a range of health risks, including non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health issues, and adolescent pregnancies.
The Healthy Youth, Healthy Future project seeks to educate young people about these risks and promote healthier behaviors, such as increased physical activity, proper nutrition, and mental wellness.
For example, non-communicable diseases are a growing concern among Filipino adolescents, with sedentary lifestyles and poor health habits contributing to the early onset of conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
The Healthy Youth, Healthy Future project aims to combat these trends by promoting active lifestyles and educating adolescents on the importance of avoiding harmful behaviors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
Mental health is another critical focus of the project. Recent studies have shown that a significant number of Filipino youth experience mental health challenges, with rates of suicide ideation and depressive symptoms increasing in recent years. The project incorporates mental health education to raise awareness and provide resources for adolescents in need of support.
The issue of adolescent pregnancy remains prevalent in the Philippines, with rising numbers of births to mothers aged 10-14. Through comprehensive sex education, the Healthy Youth, Healthy Future project aims to address this concern by equipping adolescents with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
Meanwhile, the Healthy Youth, Healthy Future project is implemented in collaboration with local health workers, educators, and barangay leaders.
These partnerships ensure that the project reaches the intended adolescent population and creates lasting change within the communities. PHAPCares has also mobilized volunteers from AstraZeneca and its own network to support the project through direct services and advocacy.
By training local health champions, the project fosters community ownership and ensures that the health education efforts continue beyond the project’s initial implementation. This approach not only empowers local leaders but also helps create a sustainable model for future health interventions.
WOW n’ WASH: Fighting Schistosomiasis and Helminthiasis in Agusan del Sur
In another vital initiative, PHAPCares, in partnership with Merck Philippines and other stakeholders, is addressing Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Agusan del Sur through the “WOW n’ WASH Project.”
This partnership aims to enhance morbidity control for schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis, which continue to pose significant public health challenges in parts of the country.
Working with the University of the Philippines Manila’s Neglected Tropical Diseases Study Group, the project seeks to deliver more effective interventions in the municipalities of Trento and Bunawan.
Starting on the second week of November of this year, the partnership will begin ground coordination efforts, focusing on improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices as part of the morbidity control strategy for these diseases.
The project will also include training for healthcare workers to strengthen disease diagnosis, treatment, and community-based health interventions.
Phase 1 of the project involves a situational analysis, assessing the prevalence of infections and nutritional status among children and adults. The analysis will guide the development of strategies to address barriers to program implementation, improve service delivery, and create a Geographic Information System (GIS) map to enhance planning and policy decisions.
The WOW n’ WASH Project is expected to benefit the entire populations of Trento and Bunawan communities, particularly children who are most vulnerable to NTDs.
The collaboration between PHAPCares, Merck, and the local communities aims to create sustainable health interventions, improving both health outcomes and living conditions in these municipalities.
By working alongside LGUs and global partners like AstraZeneca and Merck, PHAPCares continues to leverage its resources and expertise to improve healthcare access and outcomes in underserved communities. Whether through adolescent health education or fighting NTDs, PHAPCares is dedicated to improving the lives of Filipinos, one partnership at a time.
PHAPCares celebrates health progress with global partners in Seoul and Sarawak
More than 20 cities participated in the international conference billeted as, “Healthy Cities Initiative,” where PHAPCares Foundation highlighted its efforts in promoting health and wellness in urban areas across the Philippines.
Hosted by the Alliance for Healthy Cities in Seoul, South Korea, the presentation—“25 Years of Healthy Cities in the Philippines: How We Started and Evolved”—focused on the transformative role of the Healthy Cities Initiative in improving healthcare delivery, enhancing access to medicines, and encouraging sustainable urban development.
The initiative aligns with global goals to create cities that prioritize public health and address the unique challenges faced by vulnerable urban populations.
PHAPCares has been at the forefront of efforts to improve health outcomes in urban areas through its Healthy Cities Initiative.
By working closely with local government units and global partners, the foundation has implemented programs aimed at improving healthcare services, raising awareness of preventive health measures, and fostering healthier environments for city dwellers.
The initiative has been particularly impactful also in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), where access to healthcare is limited.
Through partnerships with local communities, PHAPCares has been able to reach underserved populations and provide essential medical services and health education.
Meanwhile, the PHAPCares Foundation participated as speaker in the Asia-Pacific Conference on Public Health (APCPH) biannual event organized by the College of Public Health Medicine, Academy of Medicine Malaysia.
The aim of the conference promoted public health practice and research mainly in the Asia Pacific regions. It provided a platform for public health practitioners in Malaysia to connect with other local and regional public health practitioners and experts.
PHAPCares Executive Director Dr. Rosarita Quijano-Siasoco presented the healthy city experience and initiatives of the Foundation.
The conference was attended by 700 participants from health professionals from various organizations such as the Malaysian Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Higher Education, as well as international delegates.
As PHAPCares celebrates its Healthy Cities Initiative, the foundation continues to expand its focus on adolescent health through projects like Healthy Youth, Healthy Future.
With a commitment to improving public health and fostering sustainable development, PHAPCares is poised to continue making a positive impact on Filipino communities for years to come.
By working with global partners and local stakeholders, PHAPCares aims to ensure that the next generation of Filipinos can grow up in healthier, more supportive environments.—Dawn Isabelle Moya, Mathew Albania, Kaela Marie Del Valle (Published in the Nov. 18, 2024 Special Issue of the Philippines Graphic)
