Originally published on Rappler.
Press Release: The nationwide search called “Champions for Health Governance Awards” is open to all LGUs in the municipal and city level
MANILA, Philippines – Different groups from the private sector, civil society, and the government unite again to honor local government units (LGUs) with outstanding public health programs, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), a global pharmaceutical company.
Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership – a civil society organization aimed at promoting genuine and lasting change in our government MSD, the Jesse M. Robredo Foundation, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Health (DOH) are in search of LGUs with exemplary performance in health governance.
The nationwide search called “Champions for Health Governance Awards” is open to all LGUs in the municipal and city level.
The health intitiatives of LGUs will be evaluated based on their overall effectivity, innovativeness, community engagement, local leadership, transparency, and accountability.
Programs will also be judged according to their adherence to the United Nations’ health-related Millennium Development Goals and DOH’s Kalusugan Pangkalahatan. The Millenium Development Goals are: reducing child mortality rates; improving maternal health; and reducing incidences of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, while DOH’s Kalusugan Pangkalahatan which aims to achieve universal health care for all Filipinos, and to modernize both health care and the health workforce.
The top 5 LGUs which will pass the comprehensive screening process will each receive a cash grant to fund their best health programs and continue their outstanding initiatives in health.
Developments in community health are sparked by partnerships from both the private sector and the local leadership level. Through the Champions for Health Governance Awards 2015, these partnerships are celebrated and encouraged for others to embrace the commitment towards better health.
The Awards is hoping to ensure that the achievements and best practices in local health programs are not only implemented locally, but also shared and spread across nationally.
For more information on the Champions for Health Governance Awards, log on to their website, like them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter.