Social Innovation in Health Initiative - Philippines

Social Innovation in Health Initiative - Philippines A multi-stakeholder collaboration to advance community-based social innovation in health by strengthening the capacity of low-and-middle income countries.

Over the past century, great advances have been achieved by innovation in medical and scientific domains, leading to many new ways to support the diagnosis and treatment of disease. However, despite this progress and availability of means and methods to treat and cure disease, over 1 billion people globally are unable to receive the benefits of these proven and existing advances. This is due to the absence of inclusive, effective and affordable healthcare delivery systems. Now more than ever, a new lens is required by all actors to address these basic systemic, organisational and individual challenges that hinder our communities from achieving their optimal potential. A realisation from current approaches to improve healthcare delivery is the frequent failure of well-designed policies and programmes. One-size-fits-all strategies have failed to address the cultural and contextual nuances. They have often been centred on addressing the perceived and not the lived reality of people and communities. Sustainability and longevity of these interventions have been challenged and the desired impact has not been achieved. Moving into the next decade, underpinned by the Sustainable Development Goals, new approaches and methods are imperative to engage communities and all sectors in a collaborative identification, creation, and implementation process. Transformative change is possible. We have to challenge our existing paradigms, embrace new ways of doing and drive systemic progress through interventions and individuals. Community-based social innovation is a unique lens and approach to tackling complex healthcare delivery challenges. It combines best practices across a range of disciplines. It finds novel ways to implement comprehensive solutions by engaging and collaborating with actors across hierarchies and sectors. The outputs are in interventions and process: interventions that make healthcare delivery more inclusive, effective and affordable and a process that fosters internalised change in people. The outcomes are sustainable and scalable social innovation that strengthens health systems globally. (Van Niekerk, L; Halpaap, B; SIHI 2015)

13/11/2025
𝗔𝗛𝗙 𝗒π—₯π—šπ—”π—‘π—œπ—­π—˜π—¦ π—£π—”π—§π—œπ—˜π—‘π—§ 𝗝𝗒𝗨π—₯π—‘π—˜π—¬ π— π—”π—£π—£π—œπ—‘π—š π—ͺ𝗒π—₯π—žπ—¦π—›π—’π—£ 𝗧𝗒 𝗦𝗧π—₯π—˜π—‘π—šπ—§π—›π—˜π—‘ π—›π—œπ—© 𝗖𝗔π—₯π—˜ π—₯π—˜π—§π—˜π—‘π—§π—œπ—’π—‘Metro Manila - AHF Philippines, in partne...
11/11/2025

𝗔𝗛𝗙 𝗒π—₯π—šπ—”π—‘π—œπ—­π—˜π—¦ π—£π—”π—§π—œπ—˜π—‘π—§ 𝗝𝗒𝗨π—₯π—‘π—˜π—¬ π— π—”π—£π—£π—œπ—‘π—š π—ͺ𝗒π—₯π—žπ—¦π—›π—’π—£ 𝗧𝗒 𝗦𝗧π—₯π—˜π—‘π—šπ—§π—›π—˜π—‘ π—›π—œπ—© 𝗖𝗔π—₯π—˜ π—₯π—˜π—§π—˜π—‘π—§π—œπ—’π—‘

Metro Manila - AHF Philippines, in partnership with Social Innovation in Health Initiative (SIHI) Philippines, conducted a two-day Patient Journey Mapping Workshop on November 5–6, 2025. The activity utilized Human-Centered Design in Health, a creative approach to problem solving that considers human factors and context to improve healthcare delivery.

The workshop aimed to identify critical drop-off points in the HIV care continuum, diagnose root causes of Lost to Follow-up (LTFU), and co-create targeted interventions to improve patient retention and support the Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) strategy.

AHF Philippines continues to champion patient-centered HIV services and innovative approaches to ensure no one is left behind in the journey to viral suppression.

29/08/2025

Dr. Jana Deborah Mier-AlpaΓ±o, Co-Lead of the Social Innovation in Health Initiative - Philippines, on how to prevent burnout within teams during the HPP Leadership Session last June:

"Advocate for others and for yourselves. Understand if they [team members] have support systems, and for yourself, know your support system and if it’s functional."

Her words remind us that true leadership goes beyond achieving results. It is also about ensuring that our teams, and we ourselves, are supported, cared for, and able to thrive.

We would like to congratulate the Quezon Provincial Health Office for their initiative in creating an avenue for their l...
25/08/2025

We would like to congratulate the Quezon Provincial Health Office for their initiative in creating an avenue for their local stakeholders to engage in discussions on health research! πŸŽ‰πŸ‘
With their first health research forum themed β€œMainstreaming Research in Public Health,” the SIHI Philippines Co-Lead for Strategy and Operations, Dr. Jana Deborah Mier-AlpaΓ±o did a guest lecture for "Introduction to Research on Social Innovations in Health".

β€”

A Milestone for Quezon Province!
Today, August 23, 2025, we successfully held the First Provincial Health Research Forum at Queen Margarette Hotel, Domoit, Lucena City.
This pioneering event gathered deans, teachers, research advisers, and students from the Colleges of Maryhill College, Sacred Heart College, Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation, Calayan Educational, Southern Luzon State University (SLSU), St. Augustine College, and Dalubhasaan ng Lungsod ng Lucena. Also present were representatives from the Quezon Provincial Hospital Networks (QPHNs), various Rural Health Units, CHD IV-A, PDOHO, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), and other important stakeholders in health.
The forum became a meaningful venue for researchers to showcase their study findings, paving the way for stronger collaboration between the health sector and the academe, and for advancing evidence-based planning and policymaking in Quezon Province.
We were honored to have Dr. Darren H. Venturina, MPH, Head of the Research and Innovation Development Unit (RIDU) - CHD IV-A, Dr. Paulo Maria N. Pagkatipunan, Dean of the College of Medicine at SLSU, as our Keynote Speaker, who delivered an inspiring message. Our Guest Lecturer, Dr. Jana Deborah Mier-Alpano of the Social Innovation in Health Initiative–Philippines, also shared valuable insights on β€œIntroduction to Research on Social Innovations in Health.”
A highlight of the event was the presentation of four research studies from various institutions, namely:
1. Ms. Riza May E. Robrigado and Mr. Adrian V. Rivera (Dalubhasaan ng Lungsod ng Lucena)
2. Lucky Jake M. Deocales, CPA, MBA (SLSU Graduate School),
3. Philip A. Alviola Ph. D (UP Los Banos, Laguna)
4. Jay Vincent J. Punzalan, RPh, MAHPS (UP College of Arts and Sciences, Manila)
Their work showcased the talent and commitment of emerging researchers in Quezon Province toward addressing pressing health concerns.
This milestone was spearheaded by the Quezon Provincial Health Office, under the leadership of Dr. Kristin Mae-Jean M. VillaseΓ±or (PHO II), Dr. Kris Conrad M. Mangunay (PHO I, Chief of the Health Systems Support Division), and Ms. Viviann H. Recalde (Head, Planning and Research Unit).
With the theme: β€œMainstreaming Research in Public Health,” this first-ever forum marked the beginning of a stronger partnership between research, innovation, and public health for the people of Quezon.

We would like to congratulate and proudly share the work of one of our first GCARSIH Winners, UPD PsycServβ€”Congratulatio...
23/06/2025

We would like to congratulate and proudly share the work of one of our first GCARSIH Winners, UPD PsycServβ€”Congratulations, Dr. Violeta Bautista, Dr. Divine Love Salvador, and the whole UPD PsycServ team for the successful event and launch of your new book, β€œAng Ginhawa bilang Hangarin at Balangkas Sa Paglikha ng mga Mapagkalingang Unibersidad”! πŸŽ‰πŸ’š

Join us for the next about β€œMeasuring What Matters: Social Impact Assessment for Meaningful Innovation” on 2 July 2025...
23/06/2025

Join us for the next about β€œMeasuring What Matters: Social Impact Assessment for Meaningful Innovation” on 2 July 2025.

Organised with Social Innovation in Health Initiative - Philippines, this session aims to enrich the work of innovators, fostering reflective, inclusive, and equity-driven approaches to impact.

See you at 8:00 PM PH | 12:00 PM GMT. Register here: https://bit.ly/SIAInnovation

🌟 A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made the GCARSIH 2024 Training and Mentoring Program and Culminating Activity a ...
23/05/2025

🌟 A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made the GCARSIH 2024 Training and Mentoring Program and Culminating Activity a success! 🌟

To the incredible GCARSIH 2024 finalists and participantsβ€”your dedication and creativity in advancing health through social innovation shone in your culminating pitch presentations and the Marketplace Activity.

We are grateful for all the efforts you've put into showcasing the work you do!

We are also deeply grateful to our mentors and resource persons for sharing their expertise and guidance throughout the program, and to Dr. Gideon Lasco for his inspiring keynote address during the GCARSIH Awarding Ceremonies.

We extend our sincere thanks to our partners and supportersβ€” the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), University of the Philippines Manila, UP National Institutes of Health, Social Innovation in Health Initiative (SIHI) Philippines, and the SIHI Global Networkβ€”for making this initiative possible.

Special thanks to UP Manila's Information, Publication, and Public Affairs Office (IPPAO) for covering the event. Check out their full post here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1991mmpi5d/

We hope this gathering sparks the beginning of meaningful partnerships and becomes a springboard for more collaborations and support for social innovations in health in the PhilippinesπŸ’‘πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­

Until the next GCARSIH cycle! 🌺

20/05/2025

"We choose this path every day
because we believe it is the right thing to do."

These powerful words from Dr. Meredith Labarda of SIHI Philippines set the tone for the GCARSIH 2024 Culminating Activity and Awarding Ceremonies. Our Managing Director, Dr. Venus Oliva Cloma-Rosales, reflects on this inspiring event, highlighting the transformative power of social innovations in health.

Discover how collective efforts are shaping a more compassionate and equitable healthcare landscape in the Philippines.

πŸ‘‰ Read the full article and see the photos here: https://101healthresearch.com/celebrating-purpose-and-innovation-reflections-from-gcarsih-2024/

πŸ”Ή Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-De la Paz, executive director, UP Manila National Institutes of Health, delivered a heartfelt ...
20/05/2025

πŸ”Ή Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-De la Paz, executive director, UP Manila National Institutes of Health, delivered a heartfelt closing remarks, reminding us that transformative change is possible through community-based solutions.




πŸ”Ή Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-De la Paz, executive director, UP Manila National Institutes of Health, delivered a heartfelt closing remarks, reminding us that transformative change is possible through community-based solutions.





πŸ”Ή Dr. Gideon Lasco, a physician and a medical anthropologist, called for inclusive, participatory, and environmentally c...
20/05/2025

πŸ”Ή Dr. Gideon Lasco, a physician and a medical anthropologist, called for inclusive, participatory, and environmentally conscious health innovations grounded in community realities.




πŸ”Ή Dr. John Reeder, director, TDR-WHO reaffirms global support for social innovation as a key strategy in addressing loca...
20/05/2025

πŸ”Ή Dr. John Reeder, director, TDR-WHO reaffirms global support for social innovation as a key strategy in addressing local and global health challenges.




πŸ”Ή Dr. John Reeder, director, TDR-WHO reaffirms global support for social innovation as a key strategy in addressing local and global health challenges.





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Department Of Clinical Epidemiology, College Of Medicine, University Of The Philippines Manila
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