Popular Filipino actor Alden Richard has been appointed as the ambassador to lead the campaign to end tuberculosis in the Philippines, a collaborative project of USAID and the celebrity’s home network, GMA-7.
The #EndTB #TBFree PH campaign aims to “promote positive health-seeking and tuberculosis prevention behavior as well as inform Filipinos about TB’s symptoms and how to access TB services in their communities.”
“With the disruptions in provision of different health services due to COVID-19,” she went on, “we needed to reinforce our campaign for TB elimination. The focus is now on bolstering resilient health systems that are able to cope with stresses brought about by the COVID-19 and other potential health issues. TB transmission does not stop during the pandemic. Ensuring access to TB services is critical even during quarantine restrictions.”
USAID Philippines said it picked the multi-awarded actor to be the ambassador because of his huge number of followers on social media and his capability to educate about the disease.
“Campaigns by celebrities like Alden can exponentially increase public awareness and provide accurate information about a disease, whether COVID-19 or TB,” said Michelle Lang-Alli, Office of the Health Director of USAID Philippines.
For his part, the GMA Network’s prized actor and Asia’s Multimedia Star accepted the USAID’s invitation to be part of its campaign.
“I would like to express my gratitude to USAID for choosing me as their #EndTB ambassador,” Alden said on the video posted on Artist Center Instagram account on August 19, 2020.
“I’m really proud to be part of this public awareness campaign about tuberculosis especially in this challenging times,” the 28-year-old Eat Bulaga co-host continued.
“I’m really grateful and glad that I will be able to support TB Fee PH, encourage health seeking behaviour and reduce the stigma of this disease.
“Watch out for public service announcement on TV, theaters, billboards and social media platforms.Thanks, everyone and be safe,” the Box office King concluded.
Aside from his advocacy on education for Filipino youth, Richard Faulkerson Jr., popularly known as Alden Richards, is also the current face of the Department of Health’s “Bida Solusyon sa Covid-19” campaign.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Alden Richards for leading the Philippines’ campaign to end tuberculosis amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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