Our work in the Philippines

Our work in the Philippines

The Philippines has been an active Member State of WHO, and is the home of the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific. The country has played a critical role in shaping development agendas, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the spirit of the SDGs, the country cooperation strategy focuses on leaving no one behind and enhancing collaboration for health to move the Philippines closer to universal health coverage. The work of WHO and the Department of Health will focus on five strategic priorities: saving lives, promoting well-being, protecting health, optimizing the health architecture and using platforms for health.

For WHO, this strategy paves the way for a new level of collaboration with the Philippines – as a focused, transparent and committed partner that supports the country in making health a priority across programmes and sectors. Government departments and United Nations agencies, multilateral and bilateral partners and civil society groups have contributed to the development of this strategy.

 

 

 

Philippines–WHO country cooperation strategy 2025–2028
The Philippines–WHO Country Cooperation Strategy 2025–2028 defines the strategic priorities guiding collaboration between the World Health Organization...

Philippines-WHO Country Cooperation Strategy 2025-2028

The Philippines–WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) 2025–2028 sets out the strategic framework for collaboration between the Government of the Philippines and the World Health Organization over the next four years. It aligns WHO's technical support with the country's health and development priorities, including the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, the National Objectives for Health 2023–2028, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the Philippines 2024–2028.

Developed through extensive consultations with the Department of Health and other government agencies, United Nations and other development partners, academia and civil society, the CCS reflects WHO's commitment to supporting a healthier, more resilient and equitable Philippines. It also aligns with WHO's Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 14) and the Western Pacific Regional Framework Weaving Health for Families, Communities and Societies.

Health context in the Philippines

The Philippines has made important gains in health and economic development, yet significant challenges remain. Health outcomes continue to vary across populations and geographic areas, with vulnerable communities facing persistent barriers to quality health services. The country also faces increasing risks from climate change, disasters, emerging infectious diseases, as well as a growing burden of noncommunicable diseases.

The CCS recognizes these evolving challenges and supports the country's efforts to strengthen health systems, improve health security, advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC), address the broader determinants of health through multisectoral action, and make important contributions to regional and global health.

 

WHO support to the Philippines

WHO supports implementation of the CCS drawing on the combined expertise of the WHO Country Office in the Philippines, the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific and WHO headquarters—working together as One WHO.

WHO's support focuses on policy dialogue, strategic leadership and technical assistance while strengthening partnerships with government, United Nations agencies, development partners, civil society, and academia. Through this approach, WHO helps to translate global evidence into national action and supports sustainable improvements in health outcomes across the Philippines.

 

Strategic priorities for WHO collaboration with the Philippines

Publications

Joint external evaluation of the International Health Regulations (2005) core capacities of the Philippines: mission report, 25-29 November 2024

The Joint External Evaluation (JEE) team is grateful to the Philippines for volunteering for a second JEE. The team appreciates the country’s efforts...

Evaluation of WHO normative function at country level: Executive summary

The WHO Evaluation Office presents a comprehensive evaluation of the organization’s normative function at the country level. The evaluation sheds...

Evaluation of WHO’s contribution to water, sanitation, hygiene and health: Executive summary

The WHO WASH Strategy aims to improve health through the safe management of water, sanitation and hygiene services. To implement this strategy, WHO works...

Technical consultation on control of zoonotic malaria: meeting report, Geneva, Switzerland, 5–7 November 2024

This publication summarizes the outcomes of a technical consultation on the control of zoonotic malaria. The meeting brought together national malaria...

Publication thumbnail for "Evaluation of WHO normative function at country level: report".

Evaluation of WHO’s normative function at the country levelThe WHO Evaluation Office presents a comprehensive evaluation of the organization’s...

Technical assistance to accelerate the implementation of WHO recommendations on HIV testing and treatment delivery: insights and lessons learned in 18 countries

WHO’s Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programme has made an important contribution to the Global Fund Differentiated Service...

Report of the Regional Director : the work of WHO in the Western Pacific Region, 1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023

Covering the period from July 2022 to June 2023, this Report highlights how WHO in the Western Pacific Region has worked to turn the hard lessons of the...

Philippines: a primary health care case study in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Through the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act (1), the Philippines’ health system, especially its chief health agency the Department...

Report of the Regional Director : the work of WHO in the Western Pacific Region, 1 July 2021 - 30 June 2022

This report, covering the period from July 2021 to June 2022, highlights how WHO continued supporting countries and areas in the Western Pacific Region...

Contraception within the context of adolescents’ sexual and reproductive lives

The rationale for the development of the country profiles is that while data on individual indicators such as child marriage prevalence or modern contraceptive...

Case study: chemical safety in schools in the Philippines

The goal of the project is to protect the health and well-being of students and school personnel through:prevention and control of chemical exposure; andpromotion...