Mr. Sherwin Pazzibugan, (BSN 5) presented Project BaK2Bak: Balik-Kumpyansa sa Bakuna during the Basic Expanded Immunization Program (EPI) and Cold Chain Management (CCM) Training conducted by the Department of Health – Cagayan Valley Center for Health Development (DOH-CVCHD) National Immunization Program (NIP). Held on October 14, 2022 in Tumauini, Isabela, and participated in by 28 physicians, nurses and midwives form Region 2, the said activity was in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Launched in February 2020, Project BaK2bak was the first youth-led initiative in Tumauini aimed to address immunization gaps by empowering barangay health workers (BHW’s) and parents in Barangay District 3 of the said municipality. The project was considered by the DOH-CVCHD as one of the best practices in the implementation of NIP in the Cagayan Valley region. Since the implementation of the project, Barangay District 3 maintained 100% Fully-Immunized Children (FIC) status rate.
Dr. Madonna Añabieza (Consultant, UNICEF Philippines Immunization Program) commended the efforts of Mr. Pazzibugan in championing life-saving vaccines particularly on rigid information drive, mobilization of community health workers and establishment of monitoring and merit-based systems to ensure the continuity on routine infant immunization. Meanwhile, Hon. Venus Bautista (Municipal Mayor, Tumuini, Isabela) vowed to implement Project BaK2Bak in other 45 barangays in the municipality to guarantee that no children should be left behind in terms of their routine infant immunization. The event concluded with presentation of the project to the leaders of the SK Federation-Tumauini for a possible collaboration in the implementation of a municipal-wide Project BaK2Bak.
