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Asia Pacific

Philippines

Programs

EpiC partnered with the University of the Philippines-National Training Center for Biosafety and Biosecurity to conduct training sessions to improve the hospital’s biosafety and biosecurity procedures, practices, and policies, especially in the laboratory setting. Photo by EpiC Philippines.

COVID-19

complete
Period of performance: June 2020 – September 2024

Achievements

Increased capacity for more than 4,000 health care workers to provide high-quality clinical care for COVID-19 patients through in-person, remote, and hybrid training, including an accredited LEARN COVID online course uploaded to the Department of Health Academy eLearning platform; over 6,000 learners enrolled September 2021–June 2024.

Strengthened capacity of the medical oxygen system in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to deliver better respiratory care: procured oxygen commodities and other life-saving medical equipment and trained on their use; trained on oxygen management systems and forecasting; accredited biomedical systems; and conducted a medical oxygen feasibility assessment to identify a cost-efficient and viable oxygen source to support nearly 60,000 patients per year in two provincial hospitals.

Implemented a comprehensive approach to addressing occupational mental health for over 6,400 health care workers from the Department of Health (DOH), National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), and two provincial hospitals. In alignment with the government’s Healthy Workplace Initiative, EpiC established four wellness rooms; conducted a series of trainings and designed promotional material to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health for health workers; established facility-based Mental Health Resilience Teams; and identified opportunities to embed mental health screening and care in existing occupational health protocols.

Co-organized 13 virtual communities of practice (COP) webinars as an innovative knowledge-sharing platform to disseminate information, share experiences, and increase technical knowledge on COVID-19 technical care — including clinical case management, oxygen ecosystem management, and mental health resilience — reaching more than 8,100 participants from government and private sector health facilities and partners.

Trained 177 health workers from hospitals supported by the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism on proper laboratory specimen collection, handling, and transport; biosafety and biosecurity; infection prevention and control techniques such as qualitative respirator fit testing, laboratory response drills, waste management, and risk assessment; and accredited biomedical equipment servicing.


Featured resources

Strengthening capacity for COVID-19 critical case management in the PhilippinesDownload
Building a community of practice on COVID-19 critical care management in the PhilippinesView
LEARN COVID Bulletin, January 2022 issueView
LEARN COVID Bulletin, February 2022 issueView
Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center: Building the mental health resilience teamView
Launch of USAID-supported Kapahulayan Wellness Room, Zamboanga del Sur Medical CenterView

Technical areas

Clinical care

Oxygen ecosystem strengthening

Supporting the health workforce

Laboratory and diagnostics strengthening

Partners

FHI 360