The challenges and progress in the Philippine public health became the focal points of discussion in a forum held last November in Washington D.C.
The forum, sponsored by the US-Philippines Society (US-PS), Center for Strategic & International Studies and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health-Center for Communications Programs, had as presenters former Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Zuellig Family Foundation president Ernesto Garilao and Merck for Mothers Executive Director Dr. Naveen Rao.
Topics discussed were challenges in reproductive health, private support for Universal Health Care and Millennium Development Goals, and local health leadership and governance. Joining the panel for the open forum were Dr. Rajeev Rimal, chair of Prevention and Community Health of George Washington University, Ann Hirschey, global health officer of USAID, and Basil Safi and Matthew Lynch, head and director, respectively, of the Center for Communication Programs of JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Philippine Secretary Enrique Ona, who had to stay in the country due to super typhoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda), delivered the keynote address through live streaming.
After the Washington D.C. forum, ZFF made similar presentations in the New York City Philippine Center before Fil-Americans involved in various health programs.
Since the forum happened just a few days after Haiyan struck the country, it also became an opportunity for US-PS to gather and give support for the relief and recovery efforts in Eastern Visayas, particularly Eastern Samar municipalities.
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ZFF has ongoing post-Haiyan/Yolanda recovery efforts in Eastern Visayas. To help in these efforts, please get in touch with Sealdi Gonzales, scgonzales@zuelligfoundation.org, or call her at (632) 8213329 local 117.
