The University of the Philippines Manila was a major partner in the conduct of the 2023 Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health (DRRM-H) Learning and Development Summit held on Aug. 9 in Olongapo City, Zambales by the Dept of Health.

In cooperation with other health sector partners such as World Health Organization, Zuellig Family Foundation, American Health Association, Philippine College of Emergency Medicine, and Civil Service Institute and Local Government Academy, the event was conducted in response to global and national appeals to intensify efforts towards Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health (DRRM-H) institutionalization, operationalization, and localization.

The event also aimed to urge the adoption of a whole-of-society approach in achieving disaster-resilient communities by building competency in the province-wide and city-wide health systems towards promoting disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery and rehabilitation.

In attendance were Department of Health (DOH) OIC-Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Dr. Gloria J. Balboa and the DOH Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB), DRRM-H Managers of the DOH Centers for Health Development (CHDs), Hospitals and Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers, and other health sector partners.

The summit affirmed the importance of expanding knowledge and skills on DRRM-H to prepare local communities in responding to any crisis.

(With reports from the DOH Facebook)