LDSC Donates Biothermal Packaging, Supports DOH NCR in Vaccination Drive

The humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC), donated four sets of vaccine transport boxes and 50000 vaccine cards on May 12, 2022, at the Mandaluyong Stake (Diocese) Center to boost the routine immunization program of the Department of Health (DOH) in the National Capital Region (NCR).

On the same day, the Church hosted the region’s strategic planning of DOH’s annual vaccination drive, “Chikiting Bakunation Days", which aims to vaccinate at least one million children against polio, measles, hepatitis B, pneumonia, and other vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs).

During the pandemic, DOH said more than half of the vaccine-eligible– around 1.4 million children – have not had a single vaccine.

The vaccine carriers donated by LDSC which will be delivered and facilitated to 17 LGUs in the area, will help keep the vaccine's potency.

Rachelle Alcovindas, DOH Development Management Officer mentioned, “Through this donation, we are able to further our cause of immunizing and reaching each child. We are in the same cause of giving better lives to everyone.”

Elder Artemio C. Maligon, Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines mentioned the important work of Latter-day Saint Charities. He underscored the significance of working with partners like the DOH in serving God's children. 

He said, "Thank you for giving us the opportunity to partner with you. One of the priorities of the Church is for our children to have good health and be happy. In doing this, we're not only helping children spiritually, but also temporally." 

Last year, the Department of Health (DOH) recognized LDSC for its contributions to the department's campaign implementation of the Measles Rubella-Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity, a campaign organized to ensure that children receive life-saving vaccines for severe diseases amid the pandemic.

Dr. Gloria Balboa, Regional Director of the Metro Manila Health Center for Health Development said, “I would like to thank Latter-day Saint Charities for their very helpful donation as we rollout the Chikiting Bakunation Program. The support of LDSC is a very big help to our LGUs who need these logistics.”

The turn-over ceremony was led by Elder Maligon and Dr. Balboa who was accompanied by Dr. Sukadeo Neupane, WHO Consultant for Immunization; Wendwosen Nibabe, WHO Technical Officer; Arnold Alina, DOH NCR National Immunization Program Coordinator; and Rachelle Alcovindas, DOH Development Management Officer.

Also in attendance were Noel Placer, President of the Mandaluyong Stake; Elder Steven Leininger and Sister Marilyn Leininger, LDSC missionaries; and James Ledesma of the Church's Welfare and Self-Reliance Services.

Latter-day Saint Charities and Immunization

One of LDSC's primary initiatives is immunization; the humanitarian arm of the Church runs efforts with the aim of preserving the life and protecting the lives of all people, particularly children who are most vulnerable. LDSC does this by partnering with organizations around the world, including the Philippines's DOH, to provide monetary support to deliver and improve vaccine delivery systems, disease monitoring, healthcare worker training, and vaccine procurement, among other services.