It has been the mission of the Volunteer
Youth Leaders for Health-Philippines to expand its network all over the country.
Likewise, it has been the desire of every volunteer to help in involving
additional youth leaders and organizations to the advocacy. In the past, the
network has focused on reaching to school and community-based organizations.
With these, I sought the opportunity to
orient and train the nurses of Valencia Sanitarium and Hospital Foundation,
Inc. (VSH) and to create an NBS Team in
the hospital. Through their active participation, the plan to pilot a
hospital-based organization, a VYLH-Philippines Hospital Chapter, materialized.
This type of local network of volunteers and health providers aims to empower
its members in influencing the whole community of Valencia and its neighboring
municipalities in Bukidnon. This will be possible in the participation of
volunteers in the medical outreach and strategic programs conducted by the
hospital. Through these ride-on activities, volunteers can easily promote not
only newborn screening but also other advocacies of the Network, such as folic
acid supplementation and support to Filipinos with rare disorders.(Read more on VYLH-Philippines Advocacies).
Recently, the hospital launched its
Newborn Screening Program last July 5. The event was graced by the Newborn
Screening Program Coordinator of the City Health Office of Valencia City, Dr.
Juniver Flores (Medical Officer IV). The program aims to make the hospital the
center of the Newborn Screening Program in the City of Valencia and the
Province of Bukidnon.
Through the full support and constant
collaboration with government agencies and non-government organizations, youth
organizations, other stakeholders, the hospital administration and its
employees, the members of the VYLH chapter in VSH will continue its commitment and its
involvement in advancing the advocacy in saving the future of our babies from
mental retardation and early death.
Related Articles on the VSH NBS Program
Promoting NBS Awareness through Hospital-based Strategies
Valencia Sanitarium and Hospital spearheads G6PD Forum
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Robin Charles Ramos is a Master in Business Adminitsration graduate of the Cor Jesu College in Digos City, Davao del Sur. He is also currently employed as a Human Resources Department staff at the Valencia Sanitarium and Hospital in Bukidnon. He is also an alumnus of South Philippine Adventist College where he completed his degree in Business Administration. Robin became affiliated to the network during the 2010 Mindanao Island-wide Youth Camp.
