AGUSAN DEL SUR, 16 May 2023 — The Republic of Korea, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) turned over PHP 2.9 million worth of hospital and birthing facility medical supplies, equipment and consumables to the Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Agusan Del Sur during a ceremonial event.
This support is part of the KOICA-WHO Subnational Initiative Project Phase 2 (SNIP 2), focused on “Strengthening Health Care Provider Network with Enhanced Linkage to the Community for RMNCAH.” The project, valued at USD 7 million, aims to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) at the community level in three key areas in the Philippines, including Agusan del Sur province.
Held in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, the turnover was attended by Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane Jr, Vice Governor Samuel Tortor, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and other local chief executives, DOH Center for Health Development CARAGA Regional Director Dr Cesar Cassion, KOICA Country Director Eunsub Kim, and WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr Rui Paulo de Jesus.
“Our partnership in the last two years has made significant progress in ensuring that maternal, child, and adolescent health services are available in the birthing facilities and hospitals across the province. The overflowing support and generous donation of medical supplies and equipment boosted the capacities of the health providers to provide better and equitable health to these vulnerable populations. As a result, communities can gain access to responsive primary health care services, especially for pregnant, underprivileged, and indigenous people,” said Dr Jacqueline Frances Momville, Provincial Health Officer II of Agusan del Sur.
“The World Health Organization continues to support the Department of Health and local governments to ensure safe childbirth of mothers and that infants grow in a healthy and caring environment. We thank the Republic of Korea and the Korea International Cooperation Agency for their unwavering dedication as our partner in training health care providers and providing adequate equipment to achieve health for all,” said Dr Rui Paulo de Jesus, WHO Representative to the Philippines.
“KOICA is one with WHO and the Philippine Government in safeguarding the health of women, young children and adolescents. No woman and child should die during or shortly after childbirth. We guarantee that KOICA will continue to provide strong support throughout the implementation of the SNI Phase 2 project,” said Mr Eunsub Kim, KOICA Country Director. Country Director Kim also hopes that the project can be replicated to cover other areas in the Philippines so that more mothers, newborn infants, children, and adolescents will receive the much-needed support.
Aside from equipping the province’s facilities, the DOH-KOICA-WHO SNI Project has been assisting Agusan del Sur in strengthening the skills of health care providers through a series of province-wide capacity-building initiatives and improving service delivery through the introduction of the Performance Accountability System, as well as on Maternal Death Review, Reporting and Surveillance, Center for Care for Small Babies with Milk Hub, and Adolescent Health and Development Programs.