Legazpi City –The Philippines’ first Down syndrome hub will soon be established in the Bicol Region, with its home at the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC) in Daraga, Albay.
This project is funded by the Paul Foundation, a family foundation from the Netherlands, which has chosen to support children with Down syndrome due to personal motivations.
The initiative is being coordinated with the help of Liliane Fonds, an organization that finances projects for children with disabilities around the world. Founded in 1980 in the Netherlands, Liliane Fonds focuses on providing financial support for children and young people with disabilities in developing countries. The organization works to create inclusive societies where individuals with disabilities can fully participate in education, employment, and community life. Liliane Fonds has been instrumental in helping improve the quality of life for children with disabilities by partnering with local organizations, such as the NorFil Foundation, to implement sustainable projects.
Gamilla Gay Avena of the NorFil Foundation emphasized the need for such a facility, highlighting the barriers faced by children with disabilities in the country, including limited access to rehabilitation and specialized services.
“The goal of this project is to break down these barriers and provide much-needed access to services for children with Down syndrome,” Avena said.
Currently, the country lacks dedicated services for individuals with Down syndrome, making this hub a significant milestone in improving healthcare access.
Dr. Mariegella Ciocson, head of BRHMC’s Pediatrics Department, welcomed the initiative, saying it will allow the hospital to expand its services.
“This grant and the Down syndrome hub will provide a great opportunity for BRHMC, particularly the Department of Pediatrics, to extend our services. There are only a few specialties we don’t have right now, so this will give the department an opportunity to expand and offer another vital service to the community,” she said.
Dr. Ciocson also pointed out that many families in Bicol struggle with the added financial burden of raising children with special needs.
“Bicol Region has been labeled one of the poorest regions in the country, and having children with special needs adds another burden. This hub will educate parents on how to care for their children and help them become more independent, allowing other family members to function and earn additional income,” she added.
Chiara Beltramini of Liliane Fonds stressed the long-term vision of the project: “The goal is for children to be fully included in society and to enjoy their rights.”
The construction of the hub is set to begin in March, with hopes of opening by the end of the year.I Jeric Lopez
