(12 December 2019) – With the theme, “Achieving Universal Health Care for Overseas Filipinos Through Evidence –Informed Policy and Practice,” the Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with the Philippine Migrant Health Network (PMHN) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), led the conduct of the 2nd National Symposium on Migration Health Research last November 27, 2019 at Century Park Hotel, Malate, Manila. The event was attended by almost 90 representatives from the academe, research centers, advocacy centers, government offices and programs, and civil society organizations. One of the main objectives of the symposium was to mainstream health and migration in the policies and implementation of Universal Health Care coverage in the country and wherever in the world our Overseas Filipinos (OFs) may be.
The event was formally opened by Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, OIC-Assistant Secretary of the Health Policy and Systems Development Team of the DOH, followed by a message from Dir. Marita Apattad of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), one of the lead partner agencies of the Philippine Migrant Health Network. In her keynote address, Ms. Kristin Dadey, Chief of Mission of the IOM, heartily congratulated the Philippines on being the global leader and frontliner in institutionalizing migration health in our government programs.
The symposium had three plenary sessions where some of the efforts the country has been making in terms of programs and research areas, both from the private and public sector, were discussed. In the discussion on mainstreaming migration in health, government programs on disease surveillance of malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, and psychiatric profiles presented their latest data with specific focus on the Overseas Filipino population. On the other hand, researches on the health of migrants and their families left behind were showcased as well to stress the importance of health during the migration process. Finally, the event was concluded by Usec. Mario C. Villaverde with strong encouragement to continually build evidence gained from this event to craft policy and programs and further lobby migration health in national and global initiatives. END
