The Department of Health (DOH) officially began welcoming 7,200 more healthcare workers into the “The Wellness Movement” with the successful program launch held at UP College of Medicine, Manila.
The Wellness Movement, co-designed by DOH’s implementing partner AHA! Behavioral Design®, is a pioneering initiative tailored to promote the well-being of medical frontliners across the country.
Drawing on practical applications of scientific behavior change approaches, this program supports doctors, nurses, and allied health staff in adopting effective wellness behaviors to bolster their well-being over the long term, aligning with the Department’s 8-point action agenda.
DOH Assistant Secretary Beverly Lorraine Ho led the event along with Metro Manila Center for Health Development (MMCHD) Officer-in-Charge Director IV Pretchell Tolentino, and Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Director Gerardo Legaspi.
The Wellness Movement, which started with five pilot hospitals in 2020, expanded to 21 hospitals in 2021, and reached an additional 28 hospitals by 2022.
Through a message, Secretary Teddy Herbosa recalled the three-year progression of The Wellness Movement, which started with five pilot hospitals in 2020, expanded to 21 hospitals in 2021, and reached an additional 28 hospitals by 2022.
“The Wellness Movement fits right into two points of the 8-point action agenda of the Department and aligns seamlessly with our endeavor to provide a humanistic approach in the work that we do – the Kapakanan at karapatan ng manggagawang pangkalusugan (Welfare and rights of healthcare workers) and Ginhawa ng isip at damdamin (Comfort of mind and feelings),” Herbosa shared emphasizing DOH’s commitment to the program.
During the launch, one of the leads of The Wellness Movement during the 2022 expansion shared their experiences running the program.
“Nakakagaan ng pakiramdam na malaman na may kaisa ka sa mga concerns at celebrations mo, may support system ka sa mga co-Wellness Warriors mo.”
“We are happy na nagkaroon ng program for healthcare workers. It shows na pinapahalagaan kami ng ospital at gobyerno. Naging exciting at nakakagaan ng pakiramdam na malaman na may kaisa ka sa mga concerns at celebrations mo, may support system ka sa mga co-Wellness Warriors mo, at merong solid support from the hospital heads,” said Ivy Remulla, nurse and Unit Head from Josefina Belmonte Duran Albay Provincial Hospital.
At the heart of the program are the Wellness Gadgets, which are simple tools that are specifically designed to seamlessly integrate into the daily routines and experiences of hospital healthcare workers.
These practical aids facilitate the incorporation of effective wellness behaviors, such as grounding, breathing exercises, and gratitude exercises, during critical moments of their day.
In addition to the Wellness Gadgets, healthcare workers are enabled to share their best practices and transformational experiences throughout their wellness journey in established community support groups, executed through both digital communities online and in-person activities.
With the success of implementation of the Wellness Movement in 50 hospitals since 2020, an improvement in mental health is imminent brought about by the positive hospital environments created for all employees.
Further, the inclusion of capacity-building sessions for program leads, designated to equip them with the necessary skills to sustain and expand the program was also highlighted.
Also, the DOH Center for Health Development, represented by Tolentino, also demonstrated their support for the nationwide implementation of The Wellness Movement.
“We have seen, day after day — especially during the pandemic — how teamwork, damayan, and bayanihan can help us power through the most difficult times. Our experiences show us that strength is built not only through individual resolve but our collective courage in the face of adversity. This is the essence we carry with us as we champion mental health in The Wellness Movement,” Tolentino concluded.
