Sora Initiative

𝘗𝘊𝘖𝘚 is being renamed to 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘔𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘖𝘷𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘚𝘺𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘦 (𝘗𝘔𝘖𝘚) after years of women saying the old name never fully captured what they were actually living through.

The global change was led by an international panel led by endocrinologist and professor Helena Teede and announced at the 𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺. Published in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘵, the recommendation follows a 14-year collaboration between medical experts and patient groups across six continents. Researchers said the term 'polycystic o***y syndrome' often led to misunderstanding, delayed diagnoses and the reduction of a complex hormonal and metabolic condition to just 'ovarian cysts'.

The new name reflects the condition’s broader impact on endocrine, metabolic, reproductive and mental health, with experts hoping it will improve awareness, treatment and long-term care for the estimated 170 million women affected globally.

(fyp, explore, pcos pmos women’s health hormonal health healthcare women)

𝗛𝗜𝗩 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗘𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗢 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦🤓

The 2025 Philippine Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Adults Living with HIV consolidates the latest evidence to guide HIV testing, treatment, prevention, and long‑term care in the Philippines.

Download here: ⏬⏬
https://bit.ly/3Nm1RAv

WORLD AIDS DAY 2025

As the world faces major setbacks and challenges in our fight against HIV and AIDS, these obstacles will not hinder or defeat us in achieving our goal to end AIDS by 2030.

This year's theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” reminds us to remain resilient, protect the hard-won gains, and continue driving the HIV response forward.

If we act with urgency, unity, and unwavering commitment, we can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2023.

𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗥 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱-𝟰𝟰
𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗨𝗣 𝗛𝗜𝗩/𝗔𝗜𝗗𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘, 𝗚𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗖𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧

In commemoration of the World Aids Day with the theme “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response", the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) stands with the persons living with HIV (PLHIV) through its enhanced Outpatient HIV/AIDS Treatment (OHAT) Package which provides wider financial support to essential care. Through the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program or YAKAP, PhilHealth also raises awareness and early prevention efforts, assuring every member that all services are delivered with utmost confidentiality.

This aligns with the Department of Health’s proposal for a declaration of a national public health emergency in the country due to a growing health concern stemming from rising human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases. On November 27, 2025, the Department of Health (DOH) reported over 5,500 new cases from July to September 2025.

In response, Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, PhilHealth Acting President and CEO emphasized “Wala po kayong dapat ipag-alala, narito po ang PhilHealth upang tugunan ang inyong pangangailangang medikal. Kaya huwag po kayong matakot o mahiyang magpagamot. Makakaasa kayo na po-protektahan namin ang inyong mga personal na impormasyon.”

The enhanced OHAT Package now offers an annual benefit of P58,500, a 95% increase from the previous P30,000. This benefit covers antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all individuals with confirmed HIV test results from certified facilities, regardless of their clinical or immunologic status. It also includes access to all necessary services required for effective HIV management.

This enhancement is consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to continually improve and sustain the health insurer’s healthcare benefits by ensuring adequate financial support to patients seeking medical treatment. In his second State of the Nation Address, the President highlighted that 'The whole of society must exert efforts to suppress the alarming rise of HIV/AIDS. To stem the tide, the strategic plan is to ensure early diagnosis and treatment, and ample testing sites and medications.

The OHAT Package can be accessed through 288 PhilHealth-accredited and DOH-designated HIV treatment hubs across the country. In 2024, PhilHealth disbursed a total of P1.66 billion for 176,819 OHAT benefit claims.

“Nakakabahala ang mga balita na pabata ng pabata ang mga PLHIV kung kaya’t nananawagan kami sa mga magulang ng mga kabataan, suportahan at iparamdam natin sa kanila na hindi sila nag-iisa at may kinabukasang naghihintay sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng early prevention at regular na pangangalaga sa ilalim ng ating mga YAKAP Clinics,” Dr. Mercado stated.

For further inquiries on benefits and services, members may call PhilHealth’s 24/7 hotline at (02) 866-225-88 or at mobile numbers (Smart) 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670, (Globe) 0917-1275987 or 0917-1109812.

🌍 On , we honor those on the frontlines:
👩‍⚕️ the midwife wading through floods to reach mothers
🏥 the health worker delivering care amid conflict
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 the youth volunteer bringing aid to remote villages

Urgent investment in local solutions, protection & health services is critical to support those most at risk—women, girls & frontline responders.

From bean to bar! The Resilience and Inclusion through Investment for Sustainable Agrikultura (RIISA) project in the , backed by MEDA and Canada, is strengthening the cacao sector, aiming to support 5,400 smallholder farmers.

The RIISA project focuses on sustainable growth and economic empowerment through targeted investment and technical assistance with a strong emphasis on gender equality. By addressing the challenges faced by women in farming, the project fosters a more inclusive agricultural community, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

The project’s comprehensive approach includes market linkages, training and support for small and medium-sized enterprises, which are all crucial for building a resilient and sustainable cacao industry. These efforts enhance farmers’ ability to produce high quality cacao and access new economic opportunities, contributing to the region’s development.

Together, MEDA and Canada continue to support sustainable agriculture and gender equality in the Philippines.

📸 Michelle Johnsen / Lancaster Photography Collective

Embassy of Canada in the Philippines | Women and Gender Equality Canada | | | | | | | | | | |