In a collaborative effort with the Philippine One Health University Network (PhilOHUN) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños Zoonoses Center (UPLB-ZC), Visayas State University, through the College of Veterinary Medicine, co-organized a four-day One Health bootcamp for young leaders across the country from July 9-12, 2024, at the SEARCA Residence Hotel in the University of the Philippines Los Baños. The bootcamp was made possible through the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN).
Among key officials gracing the event was Dr. Remil Galay, director of the UPLB Zoonoses Center (UPLB-ZC), who emphasized the Philippines’ vulnerability to zoonotic diseases, particularly reemerging and transboundary in nature. Additionally, Dr. Tongkorn Meeyam, SEAOHUN’s executive director, delivered an online message encouraging mentors to maintain their dedication to nurturing future leaders through initiatives like this bootcamp.
According to PhilOHUN country coordinator Dr. Neil Tanquilut, the bootcamp was designed to develop One Health champions who can address current and future health challenges in the Philippines. He also hopes the bootcamp will empower young leaders to significantly impact public health at the local, subnational, and national levels, instilling a sense of hope for the future of health leadership. This vision aligns perfectly with VSU’s commitment to advancing health sciences, education, and research.
With the theme of “Catalyzing the Next Generation of One Health Champions,” the bootcamp convened 26 participants, including students, faculty, and young professionals nationwide. This pioneering event gathered to tackle critical health challenges through the One Health approach—an integrated framework linking human, animal, and environmental health. The VSU delegation consisted of Dr. Lotis M. Balala and Dr. Jane P. Dautil from the College of Veterinary Medicine, along with Dr. Janet Alexis A. de los Santos and Ms. Ma. Mariel Gelizon from the College of Nursing.
Dr. Balala, one of the proponents of this bootcamp, and Dr. de los Santos were plenary speakers. Both talked about the animal and human health aspects of One Health, respectively.
The program featured intensive workshops and nine plenary sessions. A key feature of the event was the pitch competition, where participants were tasked with developing practical solutions to pressing health challenges such as disease surveillance, public health policy, and environmental health. Participants were strategically grouped across different disciplines, guided by expert mentors, encouraging innovative approaches to these complex health issues.
The success of this inaugural bootcamp has led to a consensus among mentors and speakers to establish it as an annual event. This will ensure continued collaboration between institutions like VSU and UPLB in advancing One Health initiatives in the Philippines. The bootcamp is responsive to sustainability development goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 13 (Climate Action).
As the country navigates the post-pandemic era, the One Health approach has become more relevant than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health—a theme consistently highlighted throughout the bootcamp, providing the audience with crucial information about the future of health management.
[This article aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals: No. 3 (Good Health and Well-being), No. 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), No. 15 (Life on Land), and No. 13 (Climate Action)]
Tags: #iloveVSU, #ONEHealth, #PHILOHUN, #SoarCVM-VSU, #SustainableDevelopmentGoals, #Viscan
