Located in southeast Asia, the Republic of the Philippines is home to more than 93 million citizens. According to United Nations statistics, the population is growing at a rate of 1.7 percent each year, and the current life expectancy is 66 years for men and exceeds 72 years for women. Over 7,100 islands make up the Philippines, and these islands are grouped into three divisions based on geography: Luzon, in the north; Visayas, in the center; and Mindanao, in the south. Beyond this broad geographical categorization, there are also 17 regions and 80 provinces. Community or village governments are led by Barangay Councils, composed of elected officials.

In the Republic of the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) is the overarching health organization with policy-making and ...