The Department of Health-Bicol Center for Health Development, in collaboration with the Camarines Sur Provincial Health Office, is conducting a series of trainings on the Comprehensive Immunization and Cold Chain Management Training as part of the National Immunization Program (NIP). The first two batches of the trainings were held from March 10 to 14, 2025, and March 17 to 21, 2025 at the Villa Rosita Hotel in Naga City.

This initiative aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of midwives by equipping them with updated immunization protocols, cold chain management techniques, and proper vaccine handling procedures. It also ensures safe and timely vaccine delivery, reinforcing the government’s commitment to protect communities—especially infants and young children—against vaccine-preventable diseases.

According to Ariane Suzette F. Villamer, NIP Provincial Coordinator of CamSur, the said training is crucial for midwives since they serve as frontline health workers in barangays. “Ang midwives, sinda ang may direct contact sa barangay level. Sinda ang nagma-manage ng barangay health center kaya dapat equipped, knowledgeable, and well-capacitated sinda kang mga kaipuhan nindang maaraman regarding immunization,” she explained.

“Majority kang mga health workers ta na nasa baba, nagsusunod lang sinda sa kung ano ang mga dapat gibuhon pero dae ninda aram tano ta yan ang ginigibo” she added, emphasizing that many health workers administer vaccines but lack in-depth understanding of the rationale behind immunization protocols. The training includes pre-tests to measure participants' existing knowledge and post-tests to assess their improvements.

The first batch of participants included midwives from Pasacao, Libmanan, Calabanga, Bombon, San Fernando, Garchitorena, Minalabac, Sangay, Nabua, Tinambac, and Naga City; while the second batch was from Pamplona, Presentacion, Pasacao, Tinambac, Camaligan, Tigaon, Libmanan, Calabanga, Ocampo, Bombon, and Milaor.

“Maganda po itong training na ito dahil may nakukuha kami na mga bago na kaalaman na magagamit namin sa aming trabaho,” Rita V. Solomon, a midwife from Tigaon, Camarines Sur, said of her appreciation of the training. She noted that after 3 years as a midwife, the training helped her stay updated on the protocols in immunization to better serve her community.

The impact of this training extends beyond the immediate upskilling of midwives— it is a critical investment in the long-term health and well-being of the communities they serve. By equipping healthcare workers with the latest immunization protocols and cold chain management techniques, the healthcare system in Camarines Sur is strengthened. Moreover, this empowers midwives to become community advocates for public health, building trust in immunization programs and ultimately safeguarding the health of the next generation.

The same training will be conducted for the third batch of trainees from March 31 to April 4, 2025, in Nabua.