UHC pilot site Valenzuela City supports DOH HPV immunization program

testament to its strong priority to ensure an effective health care system for Filipinos, the Department of Health (DOH) identified Valenzuela City as one of the two cities in Metro Manila to be part of the 33 Universal Health CareAdvanced Implementation Sites (UHC-AIS).

Valenzuela, along with the other DOH-identified UHCAIS, will be supported by both the DOH and PhilHealth to demonstrate various approaches and mechanisms to achieve technical, managerial, and financial integration, as mandated by the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law that guarantees equitable access to quality and affordable health care for all Filipinos. The UHC Law will also put premium on efforts relating to disease prevention and early protection, one of which is immunization.

As a means to achieve an efficient disease prevention effort, Valenzuela kicked off the DOH’s “Back to BakUNA, Una sa Lahat Bakuna” SchoolBased Immunization (SBI) Program with a focus on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. The SBI Program propelled the city’s efforts under its “Goodbye HPV, Hello to a Healthy Valenzuelano!” campaign in the goal to build a more inclusive health care system and a strengthened disease prevention framework.

Dr. Jaime Exconde Jr., Valenzuela City Health Office head, emphasized the value of vacAs

cination in disease prevention, such as those linked with HPV namely cervical cancer, genital warts, and other HPV-related cancers that can affect both females and males.

“It is the responsibility of the Valenzuela City government health office to take care of the health of its constituents and ensure that you are protected from diseases. As for the parents, it is your responsibility to ensure that the health benefits provided by the city health office and the DOH are received by your children,” said Exconde.

Under the DOH’s SBI Program, HPV vaccines are administered for free to eligible grade 4 girls who are attending public schools. Eligible vaccinees receive two doses of immunization, given six months apart, so that they are protected early before possible exposure to the virus.

Valenzuela City health office head Dr. Jaime Exconde Jr., Malinta Elementary General PTA vice president Joy Alejandrino, School Governance Operations Division head Baltazar Gayem, and DOHMMCHD senior health program officer Ramon Ferrer Jr. represent the four pillars of the Health Shield or ‘Kalasag ng Kalusugan.’

A mother pins a teal ribbon that symbolizes cervical cancer awareness to her 10-year-old daughter during the program’s commitment ceremony.