The Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health (VYLH) Philippines conducted a Western Visayas Cluster Camp from September 27 to 29, 2024, at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. This empowering camp brought together youth leaders from across the Philippines in Western Visayas to embolden the importance of newborn screening, folic acid, rare disease awareness, preconception health, and youth involvement in health advocacy. This three-day event was made possible by the support of the Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) and the Newborn Screening Center Visayas (NSCV). Youth from various provinces nationwide gathered together to strengthen our commitment and passion to health advocacy network
VYLH Camp Program: A Journey of Knowledge and Advocacy
The three-day camp was packed with knowledge sessions, advocacy workshops, cultural presentations, and team-building activities.
Day 1 - September 27, 2024
The opening ceremony featured the camp partners, most notably Dr. May Ann Sta. Lucia, Chief of the Local Health Support Division at DOH WV CHD. Dr. Gem Laurie P. Borja, MD, presented an overview of the Philippine health situation. These talks provided vital information about the current state of public health issues and made us reflect on the challenges we may face as health advocates.
Ms. Vangilyn V. Parreño, RN, discussed the Expanded Newborn Screening Program (ENBS), underscoring its vital role and benefits. The ENBS uses a “one-analysis, many-metabolites, many-diseases” approach and is crucial because many metabolic disorders show no visible signs at birth, and early detection allows for immediate treatment, preventing severe health consequences for affected babies.
Ms. Marielle Buscato, Vice President of VYLH Philippines, explored the influence of social media in her talk, “I am Social: Social Media & The Filipino Youth Volunteer,” highlighting its power to amplify health messages and encourage youth engagement. Social media can effectively spread significant health-related information and empower individuals through knowledge sharing. By tailoring content for the audience, youth leaders can utilize social platforms to nurture a sense of community and encourage health education.
Rounding out the session, Ms. Zapphire Zamudio shared practical insights on leadership and organization, equipping youth health advocates with essential skills for impactful leadership.
The rest of the day included preparation of our Salinlahi Chant, Social’s Night, and Talent Expo. This gathering not only celebrated our unique talents but also emphasized the importance of creativity and camaraderie in advocacy.
Day 2 - September 28, 2024
The second day was filled with seminars on various health topics. “Baby Making 101” led by Dr. Camille R. Potato, “Preconception Health in the Prevention of Birth Defects” by Ms. Aster Lynn Sur, RN, and “Folic Acid Facts” by Ms. Jean Ruth Basas delivered crucial information on reproductive and preconception health. As budding health educators, it is essential to understand the scientific overview of these topics to effectively communicate them in our communities.
Dr. Barbra Charina Cavan shed light on rare diseases or orphan disorders, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals living with rare diseases. Amongst these difficulties that rare disease patients and their families often experience are the lack of resources and information, high cost of diagnosis and treatment, and emotional toll on both the patient and their caregivers. The reinforcement of culturally sensitive public education and information must be strengthened. Better access to medical assistance, orphan drugs and products, and support for research are essential to improving quality of life.
On the afternoon, Mr. Rufus Thomas Adducul (Batch Enhanceosome), President of VYLH Philippines and alumnus of The UPLB Genetics Society, presented a discussion on “The Role of the Youth in Health,” sparking inspiration to leverage our voices in health initiatives.
Interactive workshops “Action Plan Construction and Youth Mobilization Workshop” led by Mr. Reyjean Porras and “Regional Planning Sessions” spearheaded by Mr. John Paul Oira, allowed us to formulate regional action plans and strategies tailored to the VYLH advocacies. The plans were presented to a panel of health professionals and refined through their invaluable feedback. The activity emphasized the importance of seeking professional insights in every plan of action.
The evening included festival-themed leadership training and team-building activities. Finally, the night concluded with the Commitment Ritual, officially marking the beginning of our roles as VYLH volunteers.
Day 3 - September 29, 2024
The closing ceremony involved the presentation of certificates for each participant’s dedication to health advocacies, along with special awards to recognize outstanding and unique contributions. A highlight of the closing ceremonies was the “Regional Cultural Presentation,” where each region shared a performance representing their regional heritage.
After a heartfelt farewell, we departed with a renewed commitment to promoting VYLH advocacies and health in our communities.
Legacy of the Camp: A Call to Action for Youth Health Advocates
The VYLH Philippines - Western Visayas Cluster Camp 2024 was a transformative and enriching experience. By bringing together youth leaders from across the nation, the camp succeeded in its mission to empower young people with the knowledge and skills to advocate for health, particularly for newborn screening, folic acid intake, rare disease awareness, preconception health, and youth involvement in health advocacy.
Reflecting on this experience, I am reminded of the vital role that youth can play in health advocacy. Through the guidance of VYLH Philippines, DOH WV CHD and the NSCV, we are now better prepared to educate, inspire, and support the health needs of our communities.
As we return to our respective regions, we carry forward this message: Together, we can make a difference!
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