Health & Wellness
UHC implementation
in CALABARZON to be
undartaken by DOH
T
he DOH - CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas,
Rizal, Quezon) recently concluded its orientation of
provincial, city and municipal health workers of Batangas
and Quezon for the Universal Health Care – Advance
Implementation Sites (UHC-AIS).
The Universal Health Care (UHC) Bill was signed into
law (Republic Act No. 11223) by President Rodrigo
Duterte on February 20, 2019 which that automatically
enrolls all Filipino citizens in the National Health
Insurance Program and prescribes complementary reforms in the health
system. It guarantees equitable access to quality and affordable health
care for all Filipinos.
Batangas and Quezon provinces were chosen as the pilot sites and
are now the preparing for the application of UHC health programs in
these two provinces where both the public and private sector can work
together towards the achievement of a successful and efficient health
care delivery network. The two provinces are included in the 33 UHC –
Advance Implementation Sites (AIS) identified by the health department
where UHC programs will be supported and contracted by both DOH
and PhilHealth to demonstrate various approaches and mechanisms to
achieve technical, managerial, and financial integration as mandated by
the UHC Law.
The 33 UHC-AIS identified by the DOH are Valenzuela and Paranaque
from NCR; Dagupan in Region 1; Baguio and Benguet in CAR; Isabela,
DOH-Assistant Secretary
Maria Francine M. Laxamana
demonstrates to local health
officials of Quezon province
how the the various UHC
approaches and mechanisms
will achieve technical, mana-
gerial, and financial integra-
tion during the province-wide
Task Force Meeting for the
provicne of Quezon held in
Lucena City, Batangas on May
10, 2019
Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino in Region 2; Bataan and Tarlac in Region 3;
Batangas and Quezon in CALABARZON; Oriental Mindoro in MIMAROPA;
Masbate and Sorsogon in Region 5; Aklan, Antique, Guimaras and Iloilo
in Region 6; Cebu in Region 7; Biliran, Leyte and Samar in Region 8;
Zamboanga del Norte in Region 9; Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental
in Region 19; Compostella Valley and Davao del Norte in Region 11;
Sarangani and South Cotabato in Region 12; Agusan del Sur and Surigao
del Norte in Region `13; and Maguindanao in BARMM.
The 33 areas, including Batangas and Quezon, were chosen because
of the willingness and support of the local chief executives to participate
in the program and also due to the high probability of success in these
areas.
“We are preparing the foundation for the implementation of the
universal health care in the local health system. We must also see to it
24
DOH-CALABARZON Regional Director Eduardo C.
Janairo explaines the strategies and approaches
that will be implemented at the local level under the
Universal Health Care - Advance Implementation Site
(UHC-AIS) program during the province-wide UHC Task
Force Meting with local health officials of Batangas
province held in Malvar, Batangas on May 7, 2019
that we can make this take place smoothly and effciently because this
is our chance to fix our health care system. Let there be no patients
who will be unattended, where everybody is given the precise health
care at the least possible cost, and where cthat patient can avail of such
health-friendly services. These are the principles that we must include in
the implementation of UHC upang lahat ng mga Pilipino ay maalagaan
nating mabuti,” Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo stated during his
presentation of the UHC plans for the two provinces during the UHC
orientation held in Lucena, Quezon last May 10.
Janairo also emphasized the need for accessibility: the readiness
of whatever medical treatment/support can be availed and for quick
emergency response when required without spending much waiting
time, be it in the hinterlands or in urban areas. This accessibility, he added
is part and parcel of the universal health care system.
“Once these programs are in place, we will see improvements in clients
experience. It will also provide more sustainable solutions, creativity and
innovations, and eventually fill the gaps in the continuum of care. “We will
be addressing the inequities in health services, such as lack of manpower,
health services and medicines. These will be resolved under the Universal
Health Care Program through Primary Health Care,” he furthered.
Janairo also presented strategies and approaches to attain the vision
of UHC that will be people-centered based on actual and expressed
needs of the people in the community, combined by implementing
comprehensive health programs that are problem-based including
tracing and identifying the source in order to give proper solution. He
pointed out that the lessons and experiences generated from these sites
will serve as the basis for the development of national policies on the
integration of local health systems in particular and for Universal Health
Care in general.
www.ro4a.doh.gov.ph
DOH and Batangas local health officials poses for a
photo opportunity after the 2-day province-wide Task
Force Meeting on UHC-AIS held in Malvar, Batangas