About Me: Dr Mariella Sugue Castillo is a Health Specialist at UNICEF Philippines. Her work focuses on strengthening health systems to deliver evidence-based maternal and child health care aligned with global health goals. She is also passionate about appropriate services reaching every child, including children with disability and indigenous children.

Dr Castillo is one of the Philippine pioneers in the field of child protection. She received The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award for her work in this field. She graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and has a master’s degree in Clinical Epidemiology. She was a professor of pediatrics at the University of the Philippines before joining the United Nations. She has published in local and international peer-reviewed journals.