Culion Foundation, Inc. (CFI) co-organized the 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 (𝐍𝐓𝐃𝐬) 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 with the World Health Organization (WHO), Department of Health (DOH), and Sasakawa Health Foundation (SHF) last February 28-29, 2024 at Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle, Malate, Manila.
With a theme, “Intensify Engagement and Commitment to ELiminate Skin NTDs”, the two-day event aimed to comprehensively present and discuss the Skin NTDs elimination plan to all partners and stakeholders. It also sought to recognize and reinforce partnerships, report on the status and updates in the current global and leprosy elimination efforts, and showcase good practices and learnings of communities across the country.
More than 80 participants representing the seventeen regions of the country and seven sanitaria attended the event. Dr. Fatumbi Bayo, Team Lead of Communicable Diseases & Technical Officer for Malaria and Tropical Diseases at WHO, graced the forum and reported on global updates regarding Skin NTDs. Dr. Kim Patrick Tejano, DOH Leprosy Manager, presented national updates on the same. The event commenced with an opening speech by Dr. Raffy A. Deray, DOH Division Chief of Adult Elderly Health Special Populations Division, followed by key messages from Dr. Leda Hernandez, Assistant Regional Director of CHD Calabarzon, and Dr. Bayo.
Highlights of the event included the sharing of good practices and learnings by Dr. Ma. Mercedes Ballarta of the Municipality of Lambunao, Ms. Liberty Sybico of Zamboanga Del Norte, and Ms. Mingkee Abduhraman of DOH – Zamboanga. They presented strategies and practices implemented in their respective municipalities, provinces, and regions to effectively address Skin NTDs. Participants expressed their commitment by signing the Pledge of Commitment. The event also featured exhibits showcasing the success stories of various organizations, stakeholders, and partners involved in the Skin NTD elimination efforts.
Participating organizations included WHO, DOH, CFI, Sorok Uni Foundation Inc. (SUFI), Research Triangle Institute (RTI Int.), International Leprosy Association (ILA), Philippines Leprosy Mission (PLM), Philippines Dermatological Society (PDS), Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), Sulu Sanitarium and General Hospital, Mindanao Central Sanitarium, Cotabato Sanitarium and General Hospital, Eversley Childs Sanitarium, Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, Bicol Sanitarium, DOH – Centers for Health Development (DOH – CHD), as well as Provincial and Municipal Local Government Units (LGUs) from all seventeen regions.
