The Zuellig Family Foundation Institute for Health Leadership (ZFFI) recently hosted a two-day Learning Session for Academic Partners (APs) at the Bayview Park Hotel Manila on July 26 and 27, 2023. The event aimed to equip APs with practical insights from real-world experiences, enhancing their strategies for implementing essential local health programs, including those related to health systems, nutrition, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health. The training focused on Bridging Leadership (BL) and the Health Change Model, both recognized by the Foundation as powerful tools for driving transformative health care outcomes.

The first day emphasized key topics such as BL and the pivotal roles of APs in executing Universal Health Care (UHC) goals. The occasion also marked the Foundation’s 15th anniversary, highlighted by a Memorandum of Understanding signing with new APs. A recognition ceremony honored the significant contributions and unwavering support of APs in the Foundation’s mission of advancing better health outcomes for all.

Austere A. Panadero, President of ZFF, highlighted the intricate nature of implementing UHC, involving expansion and restructuring. Many local government units lack readiness for this, as seen in the gradual UHC rollout. Panadero sought support for UHC changes, questioning how to expedite these with available resources and which institutions can guide effectively. He said that ZFF sees the APs as a solution. In the UHC rollout, academic institutions become transformative educators, evidence-based influencers, and advocates for quality care, empowering local health leaders to achieve UHC efficiently.

On the second day, APs openly exchanged insights and recommendations across three themes: health leadership and governance program implementation, the role of academic institutions in mentoring health leaders, and research study findings. The recommendation suggests continuing deep investigations by APs with involvement of peers for meaningful learning, while also expanding faculty ownership for teaching and coaching. It urges APs to apply program strategies with local governments, enhance coaching skills for Department of Health partnerships to empower LGU leaders, and stresses trust-based relationships as pivotal for positive changes in local health systems.

The two-day session involved 17 participants from 10 esteemed institutional partners, including Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Cebu Normal University, Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc., Silliman University, St. Paul University Philippines-Tuguegarao, University of the Philippines Manila-College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila – School of Health Sciences, and University of the Philippines Visayas. Newly engaged institutions, Cordillera Career Development College and Mindanao State University-Sulu, also joined the event.

(Published August 22, 2023)

More provincial governors and their health officials are expected to get trained toward the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) law. This comes after the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) conducted a training of trainers (TOT) for 28 faculty members of seven academic institutions. The TOT, held last Oct. 5 to 6 oriented the participants on ZFF’s Bayang Malusog: Provincial Leaders for Universal Health Care Acceleration program.

The Academic Partners are Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Cebu Normal University, Davao Medical School Foundation, University of the Philippines (UP)-College of Public Health, UP School of Health Sciences, Silliman University, St. Paul University of the Philippines.

The attendees were trained on the design and content of each session as well as methods to deliver the program. They are also required to submit teaching demonstrations and observe actual program runs by ZFF, which will also share its other training materials.

ZFF adheres strictly to its teaching standards to preserve its brand in health leadership and governance programs and maintain its two ISO certifications, ISO 29993:2017—learning services outside formal education—and ISO 29994:2021 Education and learning services – requirements for distance learning.

Recently, ZFF received notice that it keeps its ISO certifications following a surveillance audit last September. Thus, as ZFF shares its programs and technologies, trainees can be assured of high-quality standards in programs that bring improved health outcomes.

Once TOT requirements are fulfilled, ZFF will endorse the academic partners to the Department of Health regional offices planning to enroll their regional and/or provincial health teams in the Bayang Malusog program. Among the regions are Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), Region 7 (Central Visayas), Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), and Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula).

(Published on October 21, 2022)