Philippines: Health care for the hardest-to-reach children

Summary

UNICEF teams deliver health supplies and register children for vaccinations in remote areas of Panay Island, Philippines, after Typhoon Haiyan damaged health centers. The initiative focuses on reaching vulnerable, hard-to-access communities to restore essential health services.

Highlights

Restoring Health Services After Typhoon Haiyan00:00:00

A UNICEF-supported health team navigates the waters around Panay Island in the Philippines, delivering health supplies and registering children in remote areas for vaccinations. Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) damaged or destroyed countless health centers, disrupting routine immunizations. UNICEF prioritized hard-to-reach areas, acknowledging they are often neglected in humanitarian aid efforts.

Pilot Program for Accessible Healthcare00:00:36

This UNICEF initiative is a pilot program aimed at improving access to essential healthcare for mothers and children, particularly the most vulnerable and those in hard-to-reach areas. Health teams conduct door-to-door registrations for children under five, and pregnant and lactating mothers. If someone is not fully immunized, vaccinations are arranged at a local health clinic.

Maria Roselyn Batan: A Dedicated Midwife00:01:00

Maria Roselyn Batan, a midwife born nearby, has provided healthcare in the area for over 20 years. Displaced by the typhoon, she and her husband moved into a repaired health station in Bantigue. She continues to provide healthcare services to her community and relatives, demonstrating dedication despite personal hardship.

Reaching Every Child00:01:55

Batan and her team continue to cover difficult terrain, demonstrating their commitment to reaching as many mothers and children as possible, regardless of their location on Panay Island.