(SDG Focus: Disadvantaged Populations Served)
The University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing (UC-CON) strengthened its commitment to health equity and social responsibility in 2024 by implementing outreach programs specifically benefitting disadvantaged populations. These initiatives supported UC-CON’s mission to advocate for inclusive healthcare and aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 – Good Health and Well-Being, as well as SDG engagement linked to vulnerable and underserved groups within local communities.
UC-CON directed several of its outreach efforts toward communities and groups with limited access to health services, education, and preventive care. Notably, the series of Operation Tuli initiatives conducted in Quirino Hill (June 25, 2024), in City Camp Proper in collaboration with the Saint Louis University School of Medicine (July 12, 2024), and through Project H.E.L.E.N. (July 20, 2024) directly served children and adolescents from low-income households by providing free essential health services that would otherwise entail medical cost barriers.
Reaching geographically isolated and underserved communities, UC-CON extended its services outside highly accessible urban areas. The outreach program at Bad-ayan Integrated School in Buguias, Benguet on August 3–4, 2024, exemplified this commitment as student nurses and faculty provided health services to learners and families residing in a rural and disadvantaged community, where access to health facilities is limited due to location and economic constraints.
Further emphasizing health access equity, UC-CON’s student volunteers and faculty actively participated in public medical missions such as the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) 55th Anniversary Medical Mission on August 16, 2024, where free medical and reproductive health services were provided to the general public, including high-risk and underserved populations. Likewise, the Barangay Dontogan Health Outreach on August 29, 2024 and the Community Health Mission at Barangay North Sanitary Camp on November 23, 2024 provided free consultations, screenings, and health education to low-income residents, demonstrating UC-CON’s inclusive community involvement.
In response to the healthcare needs of rural communities within the Cordilleras, the College joined a regionwide medical mission in La Trinidad on November 24, 2024 and supported Project SHALAMAT (Salaknib ti Salud Mo, Umili) in Kapangan, Benguet on November 14, 2024. Both activities focused on serving residents from socioeconomically disadvantaged communities who benefit greatly from free health education, medical services, and preventive health campaigns.
Through these outreach programmes, UC-CON demonstrated an intentional and sustained commitment to reducing health inequalities and expanding healthcare access to disadvantaged sectors of society. By integrating these initiatives into nursing education and community service, the College strengthened the capacity of its students to become socially accountable healthcare professionals equipped to advocate for marginalized populations.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Alignment
| SDG | Indicator | Contribution of UC-CON Outreach to Disadvantaged Populations |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being | 3.3.2 – Health Outreach | Provided free healthcare services, preventive education, and medical missions to underserved and low-income populations. |
| SDG 4 – Quality Education | 4.4 – Skills for Employment | Enhanced student nurse competencies in culturally responsive and community-based care for disadvantaged groups. |
| SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities | 10.2 – Inclusion and Empowerment | Promoted inclusive access to essential health services among marginalized communities in the Cordillera region. |
| SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17 – Partnerships | Strengthened partnerships with LGUs, NGOs, health institutions, and public sector groups to expand support for disadvantaged communities. |
References
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, June 27). UC College of Nursing student nurses assist in Operation Tuli at Quirino Hill. 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. 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. 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, August 4). UC-USC and CON conduct outreach at Bad-ayan Integrated School, Buguias. 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 16). UC-CON participates in the FPOP 55th Anniversary Medical Mission. 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, August 30). UC College of Nursing partners with Barangay Dontogan for medical mission. 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, October 28). UC-CON conducts blood donation drive.https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/10/28/uc-con-conducts-blood-donation-drive/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, November 14). UC-CON supports Project SHALAMAT in Kapangan. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/11/14/uc-con-supports-project-shalamat-in-kapangan/
University of the Cordilleras – College of Nursing. (2024, November 25). UC-CON leads health mission at Barangay North Sanitary Camp. 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. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/11/24/uc-college-of-nursing-joins-regionwide-medical-mission/
