HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY, Angeles City – In a collaborative effort to address the pressing health concerns of Aeta children, the UP College of Public Health, in conjunction with the Municipal Health Office of Floridablanca, convened a diverse group of stakeholders in their second meeting for the year 2023 on October 26. The meeting aimed to strategize and coordinate efforts to enhance the living conditions of Aeta children in the region through a comprehensive Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
The collaborative initiative, which boasts an impressive array of participants, including the School of Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences at Holy Angel University, the Pampanga Medical Society, San Fernando Electric Light and Power Company, Inc., San Miguel Corporation, ABC’s for Global Health Foundation, and the Philippine Air Force's Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, signifies a united front against health disparities affecting the Aeta community.
Other contributors to the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) project include PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, and representatives from Sitio Camachile in Barangay Nabuclod and Barangay Mawacat, both in Floridablanca, Pampanga.
The primary focus of the meeting was to address the persistent challenge of parasitic infections among Aeta children, despite ongoing efforts such as biannual deworming programs.
An alarming statistics revealed that 50-70% of Aeta children continue to suffer from roundworms and/or hookworms. To combat this health issue, the partnership discussed a multi-pronged approach, emphasizing the promotion of W.A.S.H (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and W.O.W (War on Worms). Key goals include ensuring access to safe water within the community, promoting health education and training initiatives, enhancing sanitation by installing communal toilets, and sustaining deworming efforts through the combined resources of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
Last September 2023, ABC’s For Global Health was among the first visitors of the community Along with its pharmacy interns from the University of the Assumption.
This strategic collaboration reflects a commitment to the holistic well-being of Aeta children, acknowledging the importance of partnerships between academic institutions, government agencies, and private corporations to bring about positive change.
As the initiative unfolds, the stakeholders aim to set a precedent for similar partnerships across the country, fostering a collective responsibility for the health and prosperity of vulnerable communities.
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