The Council for Health and Development (CHD) is the national organization of non-government community-based health programs (CBHPs) in the Philippines. Members are institutions and individuals who support community based health care and are now active in CHD programs. It is a non-stock, non-profit organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The roots of the community based health movement go back to 1973 when some pilot programs started to experiment with new approaches to health care. By the end of the 1970s, the CBHPs were mushrooming all over the Philippines through the efforts of religious and non-sectarian groups. The need arose to unite these scattered efforts in one national organization. Hence, in July 1989, the first general assembly of CBHPs founded CHD. Since then, CHD represents the CBHPs at the national level, facilitates exchange of experiences, and assists CBHPs in many ways.

The NATIONAL SECRETARIAT is CHD’s center for coordination and resources. Its tasks are threefold:

Assistance to CBHP work

The National Secretariat provides reading materials, education and training materials to member-programs; facilitates financial support; facilitates bulk buying of essential medicines for the programs; conducts trainings; and holds consultations and evaluation meetings with member-programs.

The National Secretariat draws the attention and support of health professionals and institutions to the CBHPs. It tries to motivate health students and professionals to put their skills and knowledge to the service of the people who needs these most.

Advocacy Work

The National Secretariat propagates the CBHPs and their alternative approach to health care. Likewise, it projects the issues that affects the people’s health.