MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will host the first simultaneously running event in the various cities of Mindanao, namely Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Koronadal, Marawi, and Zamboanga, as part of its 17th Anniversary Celebration slated on February 14, 2012.

Dubbed “PhilHealth Run: The Mindanao Run for Hope,” the event that is expected to gather 17,000 runners, aims to provide financial assistance to its main beneficiary, the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and Blood Diseases Unit (Kids of Hope) in Davao City and raise funds for the local beneficiaries of the participating PhilHealth offices. The SPMC is the only tertiary hospital in Mindanao capable of multidisciplinary care for kids suffering from this illness.

The PhilHealth Run also aims to encourage multi-sectoral cooperation among public and private individuals and institutions to improve, expand and equip the beneficiaries with better resources.

As the country’s prime health insurance agency, PhilHealth plays a significant role in the battle against cancer. Because of its limited resources, PhilHealth has partnered with private and other government organizations in conducting the fun run to build awareness and at the same time, raise funds for Kids of Hope.

Private-public partnership initiatives can help stretch the limited capabilities of the public sector. The PhilHealth Run initiative can be replicated in the other regions of the country to address the health and other pressing needs of these areas, at the same time keeping aflame the bayanihan and community spirit to bring hope to those who are in most need. MABUHAY!