About OHNAP

The Occupational Health Nurses Association of the Philippines (OHNAP), Inc. is a non-stock, non- profit professional organization of nurses working in the industrial, agricultural, commercial, educational, service (hotel & restaurant), government and non government institutions. OHNAP was founded as Industrial Nursing Unit (INU) of the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) on November 11, 1950 by Ms. Magdalena Valenzuela of the Department of Health. The first Chairperson was Ms. Perla Gorres of the Philippine Manufacturing Company (PMC).

On August 19, 1964, Ms. Anita Santos of Jardine Davies was elected as the first president. She organized several continuing education programs and worked for the enactment of the constitution and by-laws of the association approved on November 12, 1966 which officially changed its name to OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (OHNAP), INC.

The first national annual convention was launched on June 5-6, 1970. In 1978, the constitution and by-laws was amended and duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on September 25, 1979. These amendments created an Article in the by-laws organizing a Specialty Board for Certified Occupational Health Nurses (COHN) title to its qualified members of the association.

On September 02, 2000, OHNAP signed a sisterhood alliance with the Okayama (Japan) Occupational Health Nursing Association represented by Prof. Yukiko Okui and Ms. Etsuko Fukouka during the First Philippine-Japan Occupational Health Nursing Friendship Meeting held at the Manila Midtown Hotel.

In year 2000, OHNAP celebrated its 50th Foundation Anniversary with the theme: "OHNAP @ 50: A Reaffirmation to Everlasting Service". A commemorative stamp was launched in partnership with the Philippine Postal Corporation.

OHNAP is actively involved in the programs of the Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE), Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC), Occupational Safety & Health Center (OSHC), Department of Health (DOH). Professional organizations – The Philippine Nurses Association & Nursing Specialty Organizations, Medical Associations – Philippine College of Occupational Medicine (PCOM), Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH), Philippine Lipid & Atherosclerosis Society (PLAS). Among others that OHNAP is involved is the participation in the “Delivery of Justice to Disadvantage Women” assisted by the TUCP, DAW Project and the USAID.

OHNAP provides the Basic Occupational Safety & Health (BOSH) course duly accredited by the Bureau of Working Conditions of the DOLE. Likewise, OHNAP is a member of the Association of Safety & Health Training Organizations of the Philippines (ASHTOP).

In September 2-4, 2004, OHNAP hosted the FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSING at the Manila Hotel. International delegates from Japan, USA, UK, Qatar, Thailand, and Finland came to Manila to gather and share educational exercises, best practices as well as social events during the conference.

Objectives

• Contribute to the promotion of health through the conservation of the employee’s health and that of his family and the community.
• Keep pace with modern techniques in occupational health nursing in order to promote the advancement of nursing knowledge thereby improving the quality and scope of nursing in Occupational Health setting.
• Work for the enactment of laws affecting the Occupational Health practice.
• Foster better understanding among Occupational Health Nurse in particular and among nurses in general.
• Maintain the standard of Occupational Health Nursing through continuing nursing education.
• Provide means whereby problems of common interest within the scope of Occupational Health management maybe threshed out for the benefit of all.
• Actively participate in environmental preservation, community services and social awareness.