CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) – As a cornerstone for improving health access, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of socio-economic status, can receive essential health services without facing financial hardship, the Department of Health Center for Health Development Northern Mindanao (DOH-CHDNM) recognized the importance of the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, five years after it was enacted on December 12.
In celebration of the UHC Act, DOH-CHDNM highlighted the agency’s steadfast commitment to delivering equitable, quality healthcare services to every Filipino and the invaluable contributions of its partners and stakeholders to successfully implement the law.
“The celebration is also an opportunity to honor the healthcare workers, community leaders, and health advocates who embody the advocacy of universal healthcare at the same time the public’s active participation is essential by seeking preventive care, supporting health programs, and spreading awareness,” Dr. Ellenietta HMV N. Gamolo, DOH CHD-NM assistant regional director, said in a press conference held at DOH-CHDNM, NBT building.
Roll out of UHC in rural and underserved areas
Dr. Angeli Loren Caguioa, DOH-CHDNM head of the local health systems development cluster, shared three major strategies to implement UHC law in the rural and underserved areas: (1) capacity building, (2) technical assistance, and (3) ensuring partnerships.
According to Caguioa, their primary goal is to empower local chief executives (LCEs) to prioritize health programs within their areas of responsibility by implementing the Health Leadership Government program. This program aims to clarify and instill in local health leaders the importance of establishing health systems.
The DOH also provided capacity building for health workers, technical assistance, financial assistance, and health facility enhancement.
“Dako gyud kaayo ang kakulangon sa facilities nato (there is a big shortage with regards to facilities), and we want to strengthen the primary care level, the rural health units; we also augment human resources for health kay syempre dili mahatag ang serbisyo kung wala ang (because services will not be provided without the) health workers,” the doctor said.
DOH-CHDNM continues to augment logistics, especially in relation to their programs implemented on the ground, such as medicines, vaccines, and other technologies, knowledge, and input so that they [local health units] can pass licensing and get accreditation from PhilHealth.
Finally, they also strengthen partnerships with stakeholders, not just with government agencies but also NGOs, civil society organizations, and the private sector. “We need to leverage their capacity, which can fill in a lot of our gaps in the public,” Caguioa said. (JMOR/PIA-10)
