Philippines

Unitaid is funding a consortium, led by Expertise France, that seeks to eliminate cervical cancer in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guatemala and the Philippines through secondary prevention (i.e., detecting disease early to slow or halt its progress). The three-year SUCCESS project is designed to shift the countries from a largely opportunistic cervical cancer screening model to a systematic approach centered on innovations related to: 1) reinforced and simplified cervical cancer screening through the introduction of human papilloma virus (HPV) testing with self-collection sampling; 2) secondary prevention of cervical cancer including use of efficient methods for treatment of cervical precancerous lesions such as thermal ablation; and 3) intensified dissemination of information on cervical cancer and new preventive technologies. In so doing, SUCCESS aims to support countries to “leapfrog” to a state-of-the-art services model recommended by the World Health Organization. As the implementing partner of the consortium, Jhpiego is integrating and expanding cervical cancer prevention and treatment services into both new and existing platforms, relying on our established relationships with governments and stakeholders in all four countries. Through demand-generation and community engagement activities, the project plans to screen a total of 185,000 women, a significant proportion of whom will be women living with HIV. In the Philippines, Jhpiego is increasing the reach and potential impact of SUCCESS project activities with supplemental funding from Boeing and Roche.

The purpose of the project is to reduce maternal mortality by improving the quality of maternal health care within networked facilities in Sorsogon Province. To achieve this, Jhpiego is operationalizing quality systems for maternal health services in 18 public and private health facilities in one district, and establishing collaborative, effective and efficient referral networks among those health facilities to serve as models for other districts and provinces. The project team convenes leadership and staff in each facility to reach consensus on a facility-wide vision for quality improvement, generating a shared vision to nurture a culture of respect and quality. At each health facility, the project team provides technical assistance to strengthen emergency response and build capacity in meaningful data use for maternal health. In close collaboration with local government unit partners, Jhpiego is establishing referral networks in one district. This award is a joint investment from MSD Philippines and MSD for Mothers, under their Global Grant Program.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases, yet there is still disproportionate access to it, specifically among girls and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries. The HAPPI Consortium, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was launched to increase and sustain equity and program quality, and accelerate coverage of HPV vaccination. John Snow, Inc. and HAPPI Consortium partners Jhpiego, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, International Vaccine Access Center and PATH are focusing on enabling evidence-based policy decisions, enhancing and sustaining equity, improving program quality, providing direct technical assistance in selected countries and monitoring, evaluating and learning to build on the evidence base. Specifically, Jhpiego is supporting the HAPPI/HPV Accelerator-Phase 1 Project to facilitate global coordination and provide HPV vaccine support in several countries, including the Philippines.