Press Release | 21 May 2024

The Department of Health (DOH) unveiled the Pahuway Wellness Hub for its Central Office employees on May 13, 2024. Pahuway, which translates to “pause or to rest” served as inspiration to the Department to open another wellness hub in its Central Office and address the mental health challenges of healthcare workers and employees.

This milestone is an embodiment of Joint Administrative Order No. 2023-0001, “National Policy Framework on the Promotion of Healthy Workplace,” of the DOH, together with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) which aims to promote a culture of health and safety in the workplace through the development of assessment tools, and interventions to improve health literacy and reduce risks of unhealthy behaviors.

“This facility was made possible through the close partnership between the DOH and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Our shared goal is to create a healthy workplace for Filipinos, starting with caring for our healthcare workers and promoting healthier habits for everyone, including DOH employees,” said Katherine Tilout, Deputy Health Director of USAID Philippines.

The Pahuway Wellness Hub includes a variety of amenities designed to enhance the well-being of employees. These amenities include stationary bikes, dumbbells, a yoga area, recreational activities such as board games, and a dedicated breastfeeding area.

The DOH has also recently established its own Health and Wellness Center, which caters to the medical and clinical needs of all employees and healthcare workers within the Central Office with the concept of “caring for the carer”. The Pahuway DOH Wellness Hub complements the DOH’s Health and Wellness Center in improving the overall well-being and healthy habits of its employees.

Following the said launch, USAID conducted a two-hour training seminar entitled “Pahuway: Mental Health Seminar,” which provided participants with the knowledge and skills to recognize signs and symptoms of common mental health problems at work, as well as awareness of available mental health resources. Speakers from the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), USAID, and DOH Mental Health Division shared practical solutions to address mental health challenges in the workplace.

“Today marks a significant milestone in our commitment to enhancing our workplace. The inauguration of the Pahuway DOH Wellness Hub completes our integrated approach to promoting and strengthening the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of our healthcare workers and employees. This initiative is aligned with one of our 8-Point Action Agendas, ‘Ginhawa ng Isip at Damdamin,’ which ensures quality mental health services for Filipinos,” said Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa.