Inter Pares Executive Director Rita Morbia, and Program Manager, David Bruer were thrilled to be in Manila, the Philippines, on the occasion of the opening of Likhaan’s Zaragosa clinic. The clinic is the first in a series of four clinics to be established within the framework of Inter Pares' program "Innovations in Reducing Maternal Mortality in the Philippines," co-funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada. At the clinics, women will be able to access a suite of reproductive health services, including family planning, pre- and post-natal care, and high-quality, respectful and compassionate birthing services.
Inter Pares' local partner Likhaan organized a full morning of festivities to celebrate the opening of the Zaragosa Clinic in metro Manila co-funded by Global Affairs Canada and Inter Pares. Inter Pares appreciated the attendance of the Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines, Mr. John Holmes and other Global Affairs Canada officials, as well as the local barangay captain and the former Secretary of Health Dr. Esperanza Cabral. Also in attendance were dignitaries from the Department of Health, the City of Manila and local hospitals in addition to women from the surrounding community in Tondo district, Likhaan nurses, midwives, and community health workers.
Click on the photo gallery to view photos from the clinic's opening festivities!
Rita was privileged to share the stage with former Secretary of Health Dr. Esperanza Cabral, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Mr. John Holmes, and Chair of the Board of Likhaan, Dr. Sylvia Estrada Claudio, during the clinic's opening festivities.
The beautiful sign in front of Likhaan's new Zaragosa Clinic. In addition to birthing services, the clinic offers family planning as well as pre- and post-natal care along with health promotion outreach by dedicated community health workers.
It was a packed house during the clinic opening festivities for the new Zaragosa Clinic co-funded by Global Affairs Canada and Inter Pares, attended by women from the community, community health workers, nurses, midwives, Likhaan staff, dignitaries, frien
Delivery room in Likhaan's new Zaragosa Clinic. Likhaan is dedicated to providing high-quality, respectful, compassionate and cost-effective birthing services to women in the Tondo (metro Manila) community.
Dr. Junice Melgar, Likhaan's co-founder and Executive Director shares a laugh. Junice has dedicated her life to ensuring women are able to realize the full extent of their sexual and reproductive health. She is truly a visionary and inspiration to many.
Inter Pares staff Rita Morbia and David Bruer pose with some of Likhaan's clinic staff (nurses, a midwife, and community health workers) from their Bulacan clinic.
