Advancing Community Wellness and Preventive Healthcare Through Student-Led and Faculty-Supervised Outreach Initiatives
The University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing (UC-CON) demonstrated its strong commitment to health promotion and community engagement in 2024 through a series of health outreach programmes designed to improve the well-being of diverse population groups. These initiatives directly support Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 – Good Health and Well-Being, particularly Indicator 3.3.2, which emphasizes community-based health outreach focusing on hygiene, nutrition, family planning, disease prevention, and holistic well-being.
Across the calendar year, UC-CON implemented 15 major health outreach programmes, mobilizing approximately 480 nursing students and 38 faculty members who worked collaboratively to provide essential services to communities in Baguio City, Benguet, and nearby provinces. These activities collectively benefited an estimated 3,200 community recipients, including children, adolescents, adults, and senior citizens.
A notable set of initiatives included three Operation Tuli missions, which provided free circumcision services to underserved male children and adolescents:
- June 25, 2024 – Quirino Hill (≈ 120 beneficiaries)
- July 12, 2024 – Collaborative mission with Saint Louis University School of Medicine (≈ 160 beneficiaries)
- July 20, 2024 – Project H.E.L.E.N. partnership (≈ 140 beneficiaries)
Through these activities alone, UC-CON served over 420 clients, while strengthening the clinical competencies of Level 3 and Level 4 nursing students through supervised volunteer procedures.
Health education remained central to UC-CON’s outreach efforts. On July 23, 2024, faculty and students delivered a targeted health teaching programme in Barangay Sta. Escolastica, involving 80 residents in discussions on hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention. Meanwhile, the school-based outreach at Bad-ayan Integrated School in Buguias, Benguet (August 3–4, 2024) reached over 300 learners and parents, offering health assessment, health education, and basic services to a geographically isolated rural community.
UC-CON also supported national health advocacy efforts through multi-stakeholder events such as the FPOP 55th Anniversary Medical Mission (August 16, 2024), serving over 250 individuals through consultations, screenings, and health teachings. The reproductive health seminar “Empowerment Through Options: A Guide to Contraceptives” on October 15, 2024 engaged 180 young adults, promoting responsible sexual health, HIV/STI prevention, and reproductive wellness.
Preventive health advocacy continued with the Blood Donation Drive on October 28, 2024, conducted with the BGHMC Blood Bank, collecting 56 blood bags from UC students and employees—directly contributing to lifesaving hospital blood reserves. Additional medical missions—such as the Barangay Dontogan Outreach (August 29, 2024; ≈ 200 beneficiaries), the Barangay North Sanitary Camp Mission (November 23, 2024; ≈ 180 beneficiaries), the La Trinidad Regionwide Medical Mission (November 24, 2024; ≈ 350 beneficiaries), and the Project SHALAMAT Kapangan Outreach (November 14, 2024; ≈ 150 beneficiaries)—expanded UC-CON’s reach across multiple communities.
In total, 15 documented outreach programs provided:
- 3,200+ beneficiaries served,
- 480 student volunteers mobilized,
- 38 faculty members involved, and
- Significant contributions to preventive healthcare, community health literacy, and student clinical competence.
Collectively, these initiatives highlight UC-CON’s sustained efforts to promote community wellness, foster meaningful student engagement, and uphold its identity as a socially responsible academic institution committed to improving public health outcomes.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Alignment
| SDG | Indicator | Contribution of UC-CON Outreach Programmes |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being | 3.3.2 – Health Outreach Programmes | Delivered 15 community-based outreach activities serving 3,200+ beneficiaries, addressing preventive health, family planning, disease screening, and health literacy. |
| SDG 4 – Quality Education | 4.4 – Skills for Employment | Enhanced practical and professional competencies of 480 nursing student volunteers through supervised clinical procedures and health teaching engagements. |
| SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17 – Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships | Strengthened collaboration with LGUs, NGOs, schools, hospitals, and community organizations, expanding UC-CON’s network and increasing community impact. |
Health education remained a key component of UC-CON’s outreach function. On July 23, 2024, the College’s faculty and students delivered a health education outreach in Barangay Sta. Escolastica. A school-based programme at Bad-ayan Integrated School in Buguias, Benguet on August 3–4, 2024 provided health teaching and basic health services to learners and community members, expanding UC-CON’s reach to geographically isolated communities.
The College also supported major public health initiatives, such as the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) 55th Anniversary Medical Mission on August 16, 2024, where clinical services and health teaching were extended to the public. The reproductive health seminar, “Empowerment Through Options: A Guide to Contraceptives,” held on October 15, 2024, promoted family planning, HIV/STI prevention, and responsible sexual health choices among young adults, contributing to improved reproductive health literacy.
Preventive health advocacy continued with the Blood Donation Drive on October 28, 2024, in partnership with the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center Blood Bank, promoting voluntary blood donation and strengthening community participation in national health efforts. Additional medical missions were conducted, including the Barangay Dontogan Health Outreach on August 29, 2024, the Community Health Mission at Barangay North Sanitary Campon November 23, 2024, and a regionwide medical mission in La Trinidad on November 24, 2024. UC-CON also supported Project SHALAMAT in Kapangan, Benguet on November 14, 2024, extending health education and basic health assessment services.
Collectively, these initiatives highlight UC-CON’s sustained efforts to support community wellness, foster student volunteerism, and reinforce its role as a socially responsible academic institution. By integrating health outreach into nursing education, UC-CON helps enhance the health literacy, well-being, and preventive healthcare practices of the communities it serves.
References
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, June 27). UC College of Nursing student nurses assist in Operation Tuli at Quirino Hill. Retrieved from:
https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/06/27/uc-college-of-nursing-student-nurses-assist-in-operation-tule/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, July 12). UC College of Nursing joins free circumcision mission at City Camp Proper with SLU SOM. Retrieved from:
https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/07/12/uc-college-of-nursing-student-nurses-join-operation-tuli-with-slu-school-of-medicine/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, July 20). UC College of Nursing supports Project H.E.L.E.N. through free circumcision outreach. Retrieved from:
https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/07/20/uc-college-of-nursing-student-nurses-assist-in-project-helen-libreng-tuli-program/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, July 23). UC-CON health outreach in Barangay Sta. Escolastica. Retrieved from:
https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/07/23/uc-college-of-nursing-leads-health-outreach-in-sta-escolastica/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, August 4). UC-USC and CON conduct outreach at Bad-ayan Integrated School, Buguias. Retrieved from:
https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/08/04/uc-university-student-council-and-college-of-nursing-conduct-community-outreach-at-bad-ayan-integrated-school/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, August 30). UC College of Nursing partners with Barangay Dontogan for medical mission. Retrieved from:
https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/08/30/uc-college-of-nursing-partners-with-barangay-dontogan-for-medical-mission/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, August 16). UC-CON participates in the FPOP 55th Anniversary Medical Mission. Retrieved from:
https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/08/16/uc-college-of-nursing-participates-in-fpop-55th-anniversary-medical-mission/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, October 15). Empowerment Through Options: A Guide to Contraceptives. Retrieved from:
https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/10/15/empowerment-through-options-a-guide-to-contraceptives/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, October 28). UC-CON conducts blood donation drive.Retrieved from:
https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/10/28/uc-con-conducts-blood-donation-drive/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, November 23). UC-CON leads health mission at Barangay North Sanitary Camp. Retrieved from:
https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/11/25/uc-college-of-nursing-faculty-leads-successful-community-outreach-health-mission-at-barangay-north-sanitary-camp/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, November 24). UC-CON joins regionwide medical mission in La Trinidad. Retrieved from:
https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/11/24/uc-college-of-nursing-joins-regionwide-medical-mission/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, November 14). UC-CON supports Project SHALAMAT in Kapangan. Retrieved from:
https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/11/14/uc-con-supports-project-shalamat-in-kapangan/
