MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) – CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) has recently conducted the “1st Regional Health Promotion Summit 2019 with the theme: Together in Scaling up Health Promotion and Preventive Care” held at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel in Makati City.

“Kailangan na natin to immediately push the button sa pagbababago pagdating sa health promotion education and information sa Kagawaran ng Kalusugan in order to place it at the mainstream of the health care delivery system under the context of Universal Health Care,” Regional Director Dr. Eduardo Janairo said during his opening remarks of the first summit.

“Health promotion is not all about posters and neither it’s all about teachings. It’s all about creativity and touching people’s lives and changing their behaviors through advocacies and activities. Put them together and place them in a level with the technology present at hand to reach everyone effectively,” Janairo said.

“And we will use this technology, no matter how expensive and insubstantial in some areas, to reach each and every nook of this country and teach every Filipino in the community about health. Provide them the proper knowledge and skills and empower them to make healthy choices.”

Republic Act 11223, which is also known as The Universal Health Care Law, provides for affordable health care to all Filipinos, including strengthening of national efforts in providing a comprehensive and coordinated approach to health with emphasis on scaling up health promotion and preventive care.

“Napakaimportante na lahat tayo, the local government units, the academe and other strategic partners to put all our minds and efforts and fulfill our obligations in providing a comprehensive and coordinated approach to health development upang magkaroon at mabigyan natin ng tamang impormasyon at edukasyon sa kalusugan ang ating mga kababayan,” Janairo emphasized.

The summit was attended by Health Education & Promotion Officers (HEPOs), Information Officers, Provincial Health Team Leaders, Development Management Officers (DMOs) Regional Office Outcome Managers, Local Chief Executives and representatives, Health Workers, Other Government Agencies (OGA) as well as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) and the Academe. (Benjie Cuaresma/IAmigo/CNS)