Healthdev Institute
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HEALTHDEV INSTITUTEHealth Alternatives for Total Human Development |
History Health Alternatives for Total Human Development Institute, Inc. or HealthDev (or HDI) was registered and became an independent NGO in August 29, 1990. HealtDev was borne out of the urban health movement and rural community-based health program management of Lingap para sa Kalusugan ng Sambayanan or LIKAS, its mother organization. LIKAS was first a volunteer group of medical professionals who provided crucial medical services to the impoverished communities in the country in the early seventies. It later registered as an NGO under the umbrella of the Center for Community Services (CCS), an ancillary unit at the Ateneo De Manila University in the mid-1970’s. In 1990, LIKAS spun off the urban program and became Healthdev, Inc. Since 1990, Healthdev has provided direct health services to urban poor areas, developed and pilot tested health system delivery models, trained local government and NGO leaders on health governance in urban and rural areas. HEALTHDEV had given rise to two other organizations. From its relief and rehabilitation efforts in the Municipalities of Porac and Floridablanca in Pampanga following the eruption of Mt Pinatubo rose the Nutrition and Livelihood Center Inc (NUTRILINC, 1995). Likewise, from the Health Service Delivery Program rose a full service multi-specialty stand-alone diagnostic and treatment center, the HEALTHDEV Integrative Clinics Inc (2008) that prides itself with the integration of conventional and traditional modalities of care. Healthdev counts more than two decades of work in innovating health systems. It proudly stands on its accomplishments these past 2 decades of modeling initiatives in health care to fill gaps in the health system and subsequently install them as sustainable processes. The Institute had documented models of primary health care in local communities (Payatas, Quezon City and San Jose, Rodriguez, 1991-1998) and in a factory-based setting for small and medium scale industries in the Marikina and Pasig industrial areas (1990-1996). Building on the factory-based health program, the Institute also set up an occupational health and safety training component (1996-1998), culminating in completed researches on health seeking behaviors of factory workers and worker safety. At around the same time, the health service delivery program for laborers and their dependents led to experimentations with health care financing. This simple financing model was instrumental in up-scaling its service program into a preferred provider model for the Ateneo de Manila University (1996 – onwards) while closely working with various commercial health maintenance organizations for the University. Consequently, this foray into health care financing served as experiential basis for what would later become the Kapanidungan sa Kalusugan, a social health insurance scheme for the Province of Batanes (2002-2008) and the Coop Health Care for the MSU-IIT Multi-Purpose Cooperative and CLIMBS (2007-2009) in Iligan City. Among its research and consultancy work include: CODE-NGO CSO Mapping Project to identify Potential CSO Partners for DOH’s NTP and PBSP’s Project IMPACT (Tuberculosis Prevention, Treatment and Control) in 2013. WHO and Peace And Equity Foundation (PEF) funded the development and publication of the first Neglected Tropical Diseases book in 2012. In 2013, FHI360 (utilizing USAID funds) commissioned the Mapping of Neglected Tropical Diseases in relation to Poverty in DOH selected endemic provinces in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. ILO funded the Development of Nutrition Security and Maternity Protection through Exclusive and Continued Breastfeeding in the Workplace (NSMP) Toolkit, and Conduct of Cost-Effective Analysis of Different Infant and Young Child Feeding by Women workers. HDI Today
HDI’s existence was borne out of an overwhelming concern for others, those who are less fortunate, by medical students and professionals in the early 1970’s. The social condition of the Philippines at that time was one of impoverishment for a majority of Filipinos. The concern for others was further translated into action, made more pronounced because the acts of service were voluntary in nature. This core value has sustained HDI throughout the years.
HDI’s vision of a society is one where universal health care has been truly achieved, which could only mean that there is social justice and social equality. HDI continues to live out this core value of social justice and equality through ist work on various aspects of health and well-being.
From its early years, HDI’s work have always centered on promoting participation from communities and engaging organizations and agencies for health literacy and better delivery of health services and the improvement of governance strategies.
Since 2007, Healthdev has developed and offers the Traditional Chinese Medicine course to medical doctors. Healthdev has secured a training license from the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC).
HDI has implemented the Jesuit Social Service Program since its inception. The Jesuit Social Service Program is the Jesuit Houses‘ clearing house and conduit for charitable donations to indigents. HDI screens the beneficiaries‘ needs, conducts background checks and provides for valid medical and financial needs.
Various research and consultancy projects have been undertaken by HDI including projects with the NGO network Partnership of Philippine Support Service Agencies (PHILSSA).
The research grant is directed to graduate students working on their thesis or dissertation and is meant to augment funding for exploratory and/or implementation researches that are meant to
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