RNE in Palawan with ROH - Photo:Roots of Health
Norwegian Embassy in Manila Chargé D’affaires Geir Michalsen (in striped T-shirt, back row center) and Second Secretary Maria Jensen (in white, beside him) pose with Roots of Health staff and local partners during their visit to the organization’s office in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Roots of Health

Norwegian Embassy Affirms Support for Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights in Palawan

The Royal Norwegian Embassy visited Roots of Health (ROH) in Puerto Princesa to learn more about the organization’s expanding work in adolescent reproductive health and HIV prevention. ROH has been working in Palawan since 2009 and has helped cut teen pregnancy in Puerto Princesa by more than 60% in six years. The delegation was led by Norwegian Embassy in Manila Chargé d’affaires Geir Michalsen joined by Second Secretary Maria Jensen.

| Palawan

During the visit, ROH’s local partners Tandikan Puerto Princesa, an LGBTQIA-led organization; Community for Positive Environment (COPE), a group of people living with HIV; and the Ospital ng Palawan Red Top Center shared experiences supporting HIV prevention, treatment, and care across the province. The delegation visited ROH’s two clinics where they had the chance to meet some of the health workers, program managers, community-based partners, and youth volunteers that are working on ground in Palawan.

“Norway is a global champion of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), pushing to accelerate access to SRHR, while also striving to safeguard the progress achieved so far. The Embassy is pleased to see how our support to ROH continues to make a meaningful impact. Their tireless efforts to address remaining gaps in Puerto Princesa and beyond are admirable, and the Embassy is proud to be a longstanding partner,” he said.

The Norwegian Embassy in Manila supports a multi-year partnership with Roots of Health on initiatives focusing on expanding access to reproductive health services and responding to the HIV crisis in Palawan.

Roots of Health HIV and Clinical Systems Director, Dr. Ralph Fonte, presents data from the organization’s HIV dashboard to Norwegian Embassy delegates.

“We are honored to welcome the Norwegian Embassy to our clinics and show how their support has helped us reach more people with life-saving care,” said Marcus Swanepoel, Deputy Executive Director of Roots of Health. “This visit is not only a chance to reflect on the progress we’ve made but also to explore how we can deepen our partnership to respond to urgent needs like HIV. Ending HIV won’t happen through silence or shame – it requires information, compassionate care, and investment in young people,” Swanepoel added.

Learn more about Roots of Health’s localized action against the national HIV epidemic on their website.