#YouthForHealth: VYLs speak on COVID19 and the Youth

MANILA – With almost six months of quarantine restrictions in the country, the Philippines continues its fight against the pandemic caused by a novel virus described in December 2019. SARS-COV2, then known as the novel Coronavirus 2019, was determined as the causative agent of a new type of infectious respiratory syndrome, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19. 

Based on the latest statistics released by the Department of Health on August 25, there are 197, 164 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country while more than 3,000 deaths have been recorded [1]. Metro Manila which has been subjected to varying levels of quarantine accounts to more than half of the total cases in the country. CALABARZON, Central Visayas, Central Luzon, and Western Visayas are the other regions in the country with high number of confirmed cases. Early this month, health workers have requested the government to tighten restrictions in NCR to provide a breather of the congested health system and provide a reprieve for our frontliners due to the continuous influx of COVID-19 cases [2]. 

DOH COVID19 Tracker. (Accessed 25 August 2020)

In this edition of #YouthForHealth, Volunteer Youth Leaders (VYLs) have shared their experiences, insights on the role of the youth, and recommendations in protecting ourselves and our families during this pandemic. 

On the challenges they experienced due to the pandemic

On the COVID-19 prevention strategies that they have done

On what VYLs recommend on how we can protect ourselves

On the role of the youth during this pandemic

A Change in Behavior

Various government and non-government organizations are promoting a “healthier” change in behavior for Filipinos as a response to the pandemic. Two of the campaigns focusing on COVID-19 prevention that are found in social media are “BIDA Solusyon” and “Bagong Gawi”.  

The Department of Health together with other government agencies is currently leading the campaign “BIDA Solusyon sa COVID-19.” The campaign is envisioned as a “strong and cohesive information campaign” which will encourage the Filipino people to take an active role in the fight against the “COntraVIDa’ that is COVID-19. Four behaviors are promoted by the campaign which are simplified in the BIDA acronym – namely B for “Bawal ang walang mask” (masks are necessary); I for “I-sanitize ang mga kamay, iwas-hawak sa mga bagay (clean your hands for 20 seconds)”; D for “Dumistansiya ng isang metro (keep your distance at 1 meter)” ; and A for “Alamin ang totoong impormasyon (know factual information).” The multi-media campaign implemented by the Health Department also featured celebrity-endorser and “BIDA Champion” Alden Richards as its ambassador. On the other hand, the BIDA Solusyon Facebook page is currently supported by more than 19,000 followers. 

In Facebook, another campaign that is supported by a growing number of organizations is “Bagong Gawi” (New Habits). According to its Facebook Page, Bagong gawi aims to guide Filipinos on the journey of learning the basics and instill habits needed to lead safe and healthy lives in the midst of the pandemic [4]. Since its launch in July, the campaign has already produced online guides covering various topics of “new normal” life that were published in English, Filipino, Ilocano, Cebuano, and Hiligaynon. Among the topics that were covered in the campaign include proper handwashing, use and disposal of face masks, habits outside the home and at the workplace. One of the recent posts of the campaign emphasized that COVID-19 is not the only infectious disease that a person can contract during this pandemic. Several basic precautions such as proper handwashing, vaccination, proper food handling, maintaining the cleanliness of our surroundings, and habits during essential travel were recommended [5].  

For VYLH-Philippines, practices that are related to infection prevention are included in the four strategies in achieving preconception health. The strategies that are promoted by the network are popularized as “L.I.N.C” which stands for “Healthy Lifestyle, Infection Prevention, Good Nutrition, and Contraception and Planning the Family.” 

Basically, preconception health is the health of women and men during their reproductive years. Preconception health focuses on taking healthy steps prior to pregnancy in order to protect the health of the baby that they may have in the future. Thus, aside from reducing the risk of adverse birth outcomes such as birth defects and preterm birth, preconception health can also improve the health status of women and men at any stage of their life, regardless of their plan to become parents. 

This August, VYLH-Philippines highlights preconception health as its most recent core advocacy through the first #PH4PH Preconception Health Awareness Week. In addition to promoting the concepts under preconception health, the #YouthForPH, a network of organizations coordinated by VYLH-Philippines that are united in the promotion of preconception health, is also being formed [6]. Despite the current pandemic situation, one of the main considerations for the network on pursuing the launch of the campaign is the need for increasing health awareness and instilling health seeking behavior among Filipinos, particularly the Filipino youth.#

For updates on the first Preconception Health Awareness Week, follow @YouthForPH in Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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[1] DOH COVID19 Tracker. https://www.doh.gov.ph/covid19tracker Accessed 25 August 2020 

[2] PRRD heeds front-liners’ call; reverts NCR, other areas to MECQ https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1110889

[3] DOH BIDA Solusyon sa COVID19. https://www.doh.gov.ph/bidasolusyon

[4] Vision and Mission of Bagong Gawi. https://facebook.com/bagonggawiph/posts/116390803450089

[5] Protection against other Communicable Diseases. https://facebook.com/bagonggawiph/posts/137727654649737

[6] VYLH-Philippines #PH4PH Preconception Health Awareness Campaign Guide. https://sites.google.com/site/vylhphilippines/our-activities/social-media-campaigns/ph4ph

Compiled by RPascual (Pioneer - Cavite)