Mildred (not her real name), a first-time mother from Pastrana, Leyte, is overwhelmed with fear and despair after her three-month-old baby fell ill. The initial signs of her son’s sickness sent a chill down her spine: persistent dry coughs with a mild fever for weeks, difficulty breathing, and alarming bouts of vomiting. She’s feeling helpless as she watches her son suffer in agony.

Tacloban City, Leyte — In a race against time, a dedicated team of researchers, healthcare professionals, and local leaders have converged in Tacloban City for a high-stakes workshop that could unlock the keys to transforming health systems in the Eastern Visayas region.

Calbayog City, Samar — On May 21, 2024, the research team for the DOST-EVHRDC funded project "Factors Associated with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes among Deliveries in Healthcare Facilities in the Province of Samar" held a monitoring meeting at the Calbayog District Hospital (CDH). The meeting was initiated by the project leader, Dr. Sherrie Ann C. Labid, and was attended by the CDH Chief of Hospital, Dr. Rutchie C. Jordan, along with her staff and the project's research enumerators.

The Department of Education (DepEd) in Region 8 is gearing up to launch the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) for the School Year 2024-2025. This initiative is designed to address malnutrition among the region's youngest learners, specifically targeting those from Kindergarten to Grade 6 who are severely wasted and wasted. By providing both Nutritious Food Products (NFP) and Fresh Milk Component, DepEd aims to significantly boost the health and academic performance of these students.