SHIELD Project fights dengue and leptospirosis in climate-vulnerable areas
Pru Life UK, with the support of Prudence Foundation, has rolled out a community-based program that strengthens protection against dengue and leptospirosis in Malabon and Caloocan. The initiative, called the SHIELD Project (Sustainable Health Interventions for Eradicating Leptospirosis and Dengue), is carried out in partnership with CARE Philippines.
Backed by Prudence Foundation’s PHP10 million Climate and Health Resilience Fund (CHRF), the year-long program aims to boost preparedness and resilience against diseases made worse by climate change.
The SHIELD Project targets 6,700 beneficiaries in 2025. These include 200 barangay healthcare workers, 2,000 residents trained in disease prevention, 4,000 individuals reached through health campaigns, and 500 community leaders engaged to promote WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) practices.
Key activities include capacity-building sessions for barangay health workers and health education officers. These trainings equip them with improved skills in early detection, prevention, and community-level disease response.
The program responds to the sharp rise in cases last year, with dengue up by 33 percent and leptospirosis by 16 percent in the Philippines. SHIELD’s interventions cover:
- Education campaigns linking health and climate impacts
- Training of health workers and LGU partners
- Clean-up drives and distribution of mosquito nets and WASH kits
- Early warning systems and community-led disease surveillance
- Inclusive education empowering women and vulnerable groups
“As the impacts of climate change become more visible in our communities, we believe that building health resilience is not just necessary—it’s urgent,” said Maricel Estavillo, VP for Sustainability and Takaful Head at Pru Life UK.
The SHIELD Project aligns with the Department of Health’s climate and health strategy. It reflects Pru Life UK’s and Prudence Foundation’s shared goal of creating safer, stronger communities. With its design for long-term sustainability, SHIELD is positioned as a model for future replication in other high-risk areas.
