The Republic of Korea, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) turned over 2,300 hospital equipment and medical consumables to the Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Kalibo, Aklan during a ceremonial event.
The donation – valued at over PHP 1.9 million – is part of WHO’s Subnational Initiative Project Phase 2 (SNIP 2), which aims to strengthen health care provider network for sexual and reproductive services at the community level in three key areas in the Philippines, including Aklan province.
The tools and equipment donated to Aklan PHO will help ensure safe childbirth, enhance maternal and newborn care, and save lives especially in underprivileged communities. It also empowers health workers to bring services closer to mothers and children as a part of the province’s COVID-19 response.
“These medical supplies and equipment play an important role in healthcare delivery and in strengthening our primary healthcare facilities. We are grateful for the support of KOICA and WHO in making sure that every mother and child, every family, and every community member will have access to quality health services,” said Dr Leslie Ann Sedillo, Provincial Health Officer of Kalibo, Aklan.
Prior to this donation, WHO’s SNIP 2 distributed critical equipment and medical supplies that benefited 19 birthing facilities and eight hospitals in Aklan. These valuable items enhanced sexual and reproductive services and filled in gaps in resources so that hospitals could be accredited providers of Maternal Care Package (MCP).
“The World Health Organization remains committed to supporting primary care facilities that protect the health of mothers, newborns, and children. We thank the Republic of Korea and the Korea International Cooperation Agency for their unwavering dedication as our partner in improving the quality of health services and ‘reaching the unreached’ in the country,” said Dr Graham Harrison, Officer-in-Charge at WHO Philippines.
“The Korean government, through KOICA, has been providing strategic support for the improvement of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) in the Philippines, with a special focus on enhancing the network of healthcare providers for sexual and reproductive services through joint programs with WHO. With the second phase of the program underway, it is anticipated that the achievements will be even more significant, and there will be efforts to extend the benefits to other regions in the future,” said Kim Eunsub, KOICA Country Director.
The turnover held at Dr Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH) Compound was attended by Aklan former governor Florencio Miraflores, Aklan Provincial Health Officer Dr Leslie Ann Sedillo, and WHO Philippines Technical Officer for Maternal and Child Health Dr Jacqueline Kitong.
Aside from this donation, SNIP 2 is set to conduct province-wide capacity building initiatives on Adolescent Health and Development Program, telemedicine, Performance Accountability System, Maternal Death Review, Reporting and Surveillance, among others, utilizing over USD 6.5 million total project budget and USD 500,000 COVID-19 support budget.