The end-line study of the Integrated Provincial Health Systems Development Program (IPHSDP) highlights its role in enhancing leadership and health system resilience, achieving significant progress in Universal Health Care implementation and COVID-19 response across participating provinces, while underscoring the need for sustained collaboration and digital infrastructure improvement for effective policy-making and continued program success.

This policy paper examines gaps in the Philippines’ health system capacity to achieve universal health literacy under Universal Health Care and presents insights and recommendations for developing coherent strategies to institutionalize efficient and sustainable community-based health promotion and literacy programs at the local level.

This policy brief advocates for strengthening Bataan’s barangay-based incentive program as a strategy to mitigate the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), emphasizing the importance of bolstering primary care to enhance early detection and treatment, thereby freeing resources for broader community development and improving the province’s Human Development Index (HDI).

The study introduces the Barangay Leadership Management Program (BLMP) in Dinalupihan, Bataan, demonstrating its role in enhancing health leadership and management capacity at the barangay level to bolster primary care and integrate health services effectively.

The Zuellig Family Foundation’s Accelerated Leadership Development Program aims to expedite Universal Health Care (UHC) implementation in Philippine provinces by enhancing leadership and technical skills among Department of Health regional UHC core teams, critical for overcoming setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF)’s abstract on nutrition leadership ranked 4th at the International Affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (IAAND) Global Conference 2025.

The IAAND delegation included professionals from different fields—clinical work, public health, communications, education, and research. Of the group, 38.5% worked in public health nutrition.

Rio Fe Del Valle, Nutrition Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Expert at ZFF, presented the paper titled “Empowering Barangay Leaders for Nutrition and Development in the City of Manila, Philippines.” Out of 18 abstracts from around the world, ZFF’s work placed 4th. This recognition highlights the importance of strong partnerships—with communities, schools, the government, and both public and private groups—in driving improvements for public health nutrition, especially in developing countries like the Philippines.

The IAAND has officially published the conference proceedings. You can see the posters, listen to the talks, and learn more about global efforts to build stronger nutrition and dietetics programs here.

Read insights here

View the full presentation here:

What role do public-private partnerships play in improving health systems?

From November 18-22, 2024, Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) joined in the 8th Global Symposium on Health Systems Research (HSR 2024) in Nagasaki, Japan. Dr. Catherine Chung, ZFF Local Health Systems Portfolio Director, shared a compelling presentation on ZFF’s LHS project, “Provincial Leadership and Governance Program: A Public-Private Collaboration Model for Local Health Systems Strengthening Towards Universal Health Coverage in the Philippines.”

The study, co-authored by Fiona Norada and Dr. Anthony Faraon from ZFF, Arian Loreche and Veincent Pepito from the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health led by Dr. Manuel Dayrit, focused on the vital role of partnerships in strengthening health systems for better outcomes.

HSR 2024 gathered over 1,000 global participants, themed “Building Just and Sustainable Health Systems: Centering People and Protecting the Planet.” It was an excellent opportunity for ZFF to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and learn from global best practices on building people-centered health systems.

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At the 4th International Conference on Nursing and Women’s Healthcare in Bangkok, Thailand, from November 4-6, 2024, Zuellig Family Foundation’s Standards and Academic Partnerships Manager, Philip Jerome Flores, presented research on the Nurses-Led Municipal Leadership and Governance Program (MLGP). The study, published in the Belitung Nursing Journal, highlights the experiences of Local Chief Executives (LCEs) in Central Visayas.

The research, conducted in partnership with Silliman University, Cebu Normal University, and funded by the Department of Health (DOH)-Central Visayas, focuses on how the MLGP enhances leadership competencies of LCEs. Flores shared insights on how nurses and governance experts have played a key role in transforming local health leadership, especially in underserved communities. This is part of ZFF’s ongoing effort to improve healthcare delivery through strong local leadership.

Read the full paper here

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From October 23-25, 2024, Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) had the honor of sharing its work on strengthening health information systems at the 55th Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH) in Busan, South Korea.

Dr. Catherine Chung, ZFF Local Health System Director presented an in-depth study titled “Early Lessons in Integrating Health Information Systems to Achieve Universal Health Coverage in the Philippines,” which focused on ways to improve health data systems to reach more Filipinos. This research was a team effort, co-authored by Dr. Jenilyn Dabu, Fiona Norada, and Marienelle Hilapad, and highlighted innovative strategies to support Universal Health Care (UHC) goals.

The APACPH conference, with its theme “Public Health: Shifting Paradigms for Future Society and Community,” brought together public health experts from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss how to meet the changing needs of health systems and communities. By exchanging ideas with international experts, ZFF strengthens its commitment to making healthcare in the Philippines more accessible and effective, aligning with the global movement toward sustainable health improvements.

View the full presentation here: