Empowering Indigenous Peoples Through Community Participation
The Case of Tanay, Rizal, Philippines
In Tanay, Rizal, Indigenous Peoples (IPs) have long faced barriers to accessing healthcare distance, limited resources, and cultural differences often made health services difficult to reach. Recognizing these challenges, INAM Philippines (Integrative Medicine for Alternative Healthcare Systems) launched an initiative that highlights how community participation can transform local health systems into sustainable, people-centered structures.
Through the International Workshop on Empowerment of Indigenous Peoples through Community Participation for a Sustainable Local Health System, INAM brought together local leaders, health workers, and representatives from various countries to share experiences and best practices. The workshop focused on empowering IP communities to take an active role in planning, managing, and delivering primary health care in their own areas.
Participants learned about the Tanay community health model, where village-based volunteers and traditional healers work hand in hand with the municipal health office. The approach promotes integrative and culturally sensitive healthcare, ensuring that local wisdom complements modern medical practices.
The event served as a learning exchange showcasing how empowered Indigenous communities can sustain their own local health systems through participation, solidarity, and shared responsibility. It also strengthened INAM’s mission to advance community-based and integrative health care across the Philippines and beyond.
