The Iloilo provincial government recently launched a new healthcare program that seeks to address health concerns among the younger population, including teenage pregnancy, mental health challenges, and other non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
Iloilo is collaborating with the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division in the province, Department of Health Western Visayas, PHAP Cares Foundation, and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to lead this project for the benefit of at least 30,000 young Filipinos.
The municipalities of Carles, Pototan, and Mina in Iloilo were selected as pilot areas for the “Healthy Youth, Healthy Future” project. It will feature a range of activities, including lectures and health services delivered through local primary care facilities, barangay health stations, and schools.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. emphasized the importance of establishing teen and youth development centers in various municipalities to ensure the program reaches the intended communities.
“This initiative will play a crucial role in promoting the health and development of our young people, and these centers will help us expand the program’s reach,” Defensor said.
In addition to these services, the initiative will also train 210 Local Health Youth Champions, who will serve as peer educators across 105 barangays in the province, further reinforcing the program’s reach and effectiveness.
This comprehensive approach aims to equip the youth with the knowledge and resources necessary to make informed decisions about their health and well-being, ensuring a healthier future for Iloilo’s next generation.
