Picturing Health in the Philippines: 75 Years of Hope and Progress
In 1948, countries around the world came together and founded the World Health Organization to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health and well-being.
The Philippines, one of WHO’s founders, joined the Organization on 9 July 1948 – marking the country’s 75th year as a Member State. Since then, WHO has been closely collaborating with the Philippine Government through the Department of Health (DOH) in advancing public health in the country.
We commemorate the public health milestones in the country through these photos highlighting successes that have improved Filipinos’ quality of life during the last seven decades.
These stories aim to inspire innovation and motivate action to tackle the health challenges of today and tomorrow toward #HealthForAll.
Representatives from Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) during the First World Health Assembly on 24 June to 24 July 1948 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva.
1948
Creating a world where there is health for all
Representatives from Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) during the First World Health Assembly on 24 June to 24 July 1948 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva
1950s
Fighting silent health threats
Two doctors inspect parasites in a laboratory. They both work under the WHO Schistosomiasis Control Pilot Project in Palo, Leyte in the 1950s.
Schistosomiasis infects people when larval forms of the parasite – released by freshwater snails – penetrate the skin during contact with infested water. The disease causes progressive damage to the liver, kidney, bladder and other organs.
As of 2023, schistosomiasis remains endemic in 28 provinces in the country, mostly affecting fishing and agricultural populations. The World Health Organization continues to work with the Department of Health in eliminating waterborne diseases.
Two doctors inspect parasites in a laboratory. They both work under the WHO Schistosomiasis Control Pilot Project in Palo, Leyte in the 1950s.
People wait for their bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) test in Minglanilla Municipal Square, Cebu province as part of the nationwide anti-tuberculosis campaign that started in 1951.
1951
Bringing TB services closer to people
People wait for their bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) test in Minglanilla Municipal Square, Cebu province as part of the nationwide anti-tuberculosis campaign that started in 1951.
In 1951, a nationwide anti-tuberculosis campaign in schools and municipalities was launched. DOH laboratories produced BCG vaccines for the anti-TB campaign.
During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020, access to TB services was challenging for patients who need urgent care. Let’s work together to end TB by 2030.
1951
Dispelling myths on health
Student-nurse Paz Basconcillo (middle) shows Maxima Madreniko (left), a 17-year-old mother from Quezon City, how to care for her week-old son. Basconcillo is being trained by public health nurse Zenaida Panlilio (right) who helped her deliver the baby at Madreniko’s home.
Nurses conduct home visits to educate families on disease prevention and to counter myths on taking care of newborns. Home visits and health education are part of the strategies of a joint WHO and UNICEF child health initiative that started in 1951.
Student-nurse Paz Basconcillo (middle) shows Maxima Madreniko (left), a 17-year-old mother from Quezon City, how to care for her week-old son. Basconcillo is being trained by public health nurse Zenaida Panlilio (right) who helped her deliver the baby.
A student nurse attends to a cerebral polio patient. She is part of UP Manila’s physiotherapy course.
1960s
Towards a polio-free Philippines
A student nurse attends to a cerebral polio patient. She is part of UP Manila’s physiotherapy course.
In the 1960s, the World Health Organization helped in organizing a physical rehabilitation services programme at the National Orthopaedic Hospital. The programme also established a four-year physiotherapy course for University of the Philippines Manila. The first cohort of students graduated in 1966.
When the disease re-emerged in the country after being polio-free for 19 years, WHO and UNICEF supported the Department of Health to intensify response. The DOH officially concluded the polio outbreak response on 3 June 2021.
1970
Puso para sa puso
An elderly woman has her blood tested for blood sugar, uric acid, and cholesterol at the Philippine Heart Center for Asia in 1970.
Cardiovascular diseases – or diseases of the heart and blood vessels – are responsible for a third of deaths in the Philippines. Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as tobacco and alcohol use, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet cause CVDs.
The World Health Organization continues to support the Department of Health in scaling up early screening and timely treatment in primary health care settings nationwide.
An elderly woman has her blood tested for blood sugar, uric acid, and cholesterol at the Philippine Heart Center for Asia in 1970.
Dr Jesus Azurin, Undersecretary of the Department of Health and member of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication, formally signs the document declaring "that smallpox has been eradicated in every country in the world.”
1979
A world free of smallpox
Dr Jesus Azurin, Undersecretary of the Department of Health and member of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication, formally signs the document declaring "that smallpox has been eradicated in every country in the world.”
The World Health Organization launched an intensified plan to eradicate the infectious disease in 1967. Widespread immunization and surveillance were conducted around the world for several years. The last known natural case was in Somalia in 1977.
In 1980, WHO declared smallpox eradicated – the only infectious disease to achieve this distinction.
1980s
Connecting communities to primary care
A barangay health worker conducts house-to-house visit and offers health advice to mothers.
Organizing health services around people’s needs, especially in rural and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, is essential to achieving health for all. Barangay health workers are instrumental in connecting communities to primary care.
The Magna Carta for BHWs will ensure the benefits and appreciation for their work.
A barangay health worker conducts house-to-house visit and offers health advice to mothers in the Philippines.
A Doctor to the Barrios rides a horse to reach families in geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas of Maguindanao del Norte during the Chikiting Ligtas Campaign in 2023.
1993
Ready to serve: Doctors go to barrios
A Doctor to the Barrios rides a horse to reach families in geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas of Maguindanao del Norte during the Chikiting Ligtas Campaign in 2023.
The Doctors to the Barrios initiative was started in 1993 by former Department of Health Secretary Juan Flavier. Thirty years after, the program continues to inspire action and service in the remote regions of the Philippines.
Doctors provide health care services to marginalized and underserved communities, while advocating for support and implementation for priority health programs by the Department of Health.
1995
Financial protection for better health
A rural health physician in Iloilo explains how to prevent non-communicable diseases to a patient.
In February 1995, Republic Act 7875 paved the way for the creation of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth. It was tasked to serve as the means for the healthy to help pay for the care of the sick and for those who can afford medical care to subsidize those who cannot.
In 2020, PhilHealth launched its Konsulta Package. This primary care benefit package ensures that every Filipino can access appropriate, affordable, and quality health care services and medicines through PhilHealth-accredited facilities and doctors in their communities.
A rural health physician in Iloilo explains how to prevent non-communicable diseases to a patient.
A father and his son, along with their horse, spend two hours walking to fetch water. They belong to 11 million Filipino families who are still deprived of clean water.
2004
Walking a mile to access safe water
A father and his son, along with their horse, spend two hours walking to fetch water. They belong to 11 million Filipino families who are still deprived of clean water.
Clean water is a basic human need, and one that should be easily accessible to all. Safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene are crucial to human health and well-being.
The World Health Organization supports the Department of Health and the Philippine Government in promoting safe and sufficient WASH, which prevents waterborne and neglected tropical diseases such as cholera and schistosomiasis.
2005
A move towards a smoke-free future
A team of Marikina Anti-Smoking Task Force heads out to patrol the city. The city prohibits establishments from selling cigarettes to minors.
Tobacco is a leading cause of preventable death globally, and raising tobacco taxes is one of the most effective tools to reduce its use.
The Philippines has been an active party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control since 2005. The passage of Republic Act 10351 or the Sin Tax Reform Law in 2012 led to a significant drop in tobacco use in the country. It also helps finance Universal Health Care programs.
A team of Marikina Anti-Smoking Task Force heads out to patrol the city. The city prohibits establishments from selling cigarettes to minors.
Skin-to-skin contact between parents and newborn babies after birth at San Miguel Birthing Facility, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
2009
Life-saving first embrace for babies
Skin-to-skin contact between parents and newborn babies after birth at San Miguel Birthing Facility, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
Unang yakap or first embrace is skin-to-skin contact for 90 minutes after birth. This simple yet effective practice maximizes the chance for babies to be physically ready to breastfeed.
Fathers can also do the same to help regulate their baby’s heartbeat and temperature.
2019
Equitable access to health care through UHC
A mother brings her children for check-up and vaccination at the Corazon Aquino Health Center in Baseco Compound, Tondo, Manila. All services are free at the health center.
The Universal Health Care Act was signed into law in February 2019. UHC means that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship.
As a foundation for UHC, the World Health Organization recommends reorienting health systems using a primary health care approach. In the Philippines, the UHC Law allows all Filipinos to be enrolled into PhilHealth and be covered for essential primary care services.
A mother brings her children for check-up and vaccination at the Corazon Aquino Health Center in Baseco Compound, Tondo, Manila. All services are free at the health center.
Doctors attend to patients in the COVID-19 ICU of the Philippine General Hospital in Manila. They are among the first Filipinos to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the country
2021
Health workers at the frontlines against COVID-19
Doctors attend to patients in the COVID-19 ICU of the Philippine General Hospital in Manila. They are among the first Filipinos to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the country.
Health workers were on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. They provided care and comfort to COVID-19 patients and their families while coping with various challenges in the health system and facing dangers to their own health.
Health workers need to be safe to keep their patients safe. The World Health Organization’s Health Worker Safety Charter is a step towards ensuring that health workers have safe working conditions and the support they deserve.
2021
Championing COVID-19 safety in remote islands
Barangay Health Worker Lorena Ida (left) shares the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines to a senior citizen in Manicani Island, Eastern Samar.
Misinformation about the vaccine combined with the high cost of a 45-minute boat ride to the nearest vaccination centers meant vaccine uptake amongst the population of Manicani Island in the Eastern Samar province was low.
Barangay health workers were trusted frontliners during the COVID-19 response and important role models in helping people gain confidence in the vaccines.
The cooperation between BHWs, communities, local government, health authorities, civil society organization People in Need, and the World Health Organization increased COVID-19 vaccination rate among vulnerable groups in Manicani Island.
Barangay Health Worker Lorena Ida (left) shares the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines to a senior citizen in Manicani Island, Eastern Samar.