Tagum City, May 11, 2017 - The Department of Health (DOH) together with World Health Organization (WHO) launched La Filipina Safe Birthing Facility in Barangay La Filipina, Tagum City. DOH and WHO collaborated to support the facility to become a Safe Birthing Facility. The construction of the building was supported by the Department of Health while WHO through KOICA supported the maternal and medical/health equipment of the facility. The facility is Philhealth accredited and has a three (3) bed capacity.
Opening and Ribbon-Cutting was headed by WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Dr. Shin Young-soo together with WHO Country Representative Dr. Gundo Weiler, DOH Undersecretary Dr. Gerardo Bayugo, Mayor Allan Rellon of Tagum City, City Health Officer Dr. Arnel Florendo and Barangay Captain Rudy Corpuz.
On the same day, the new Philippines-WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) was launched at Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC), Tagum City. The new Strategy was signed by WHO Regional Director Dr. Shin Young-soo and Secretary of Health Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial with the presence of other officials.
The Philippines – WHO Cooperation Strategy (CCS) 2017-2022 is aligned with the vision of Philippine Health Agenda (PHA), All for Health towards Health for All. It identifies five strategic priorities that will support the achievement of PHA’s vision. These strategies are: 1) Save lives: ensure full access to immediate-impact interventions 2) Promote well-being: empower people to lead healthy lives and enjoy responsive health services 3) Protect health: anticipate and mitigate disasters, and environmental and emerging health threats 4) Optimize health architecture: overcome fragmentation to achieve universal health coverage 5) Use platforms for health: support health in all settings, policies and sectors
Secretary of Health Ubial said that health is everyone’s concern and we need to mobilize health across all segments of our society and all levels of government in the Philippines. A strong support from all sectors is needed and with continues partnership with WHO and other partners, the Philippines will be able to achieve local health goals that can contribute to advance global health and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
WHO Regional Director to the West Pacific Dr. Shin Young-soo mentioned that WHO’s collaboration with the Philippines is to support the improvement of health and well-being of more than 100 million Filipinos. He said that Filipinos now lives longer and healthier than ever before. The life expectancy has increased to more than 70 years and less Filipinos engage in smoking compared six years ago due to taxation schemes which resulted to triple health budget and 92% Filipinos benefits to national health insurance. For the next five years, WHO will continue to support the Philippine Government in sustaining these improvements and in addressing other challenges.
