TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) –The Department of Health-Cagayan Valley Center for Health Development (DOH-CVCHD) launched the Sugod Bayan Program, the first of its kind in the country.
The program aims to bring DOH health services closer to the people and expedite the registration of residents with Primary Health Care Providers to avail of free services under PhilHealth’s Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (KonSulta) program.
Janriel Lavadia, program coordinator, said DOH is hoping that the initiative will serve as a model for other regions to adopt.
The Sugod Bayan Program is aligned with the mandate of the Universal Health Care (UHC) law, which seeks to provide all Filipinos with broad access to health services. These include free consultations with designated PhilHealth KonSulta Package Providers through efficient registration processes.
Among the free services offered under the program are immunization, nutrition services, HIV and TB testing, and screening for non-communicable diseases.
Lavadia added that they aim to integrate the Sugod Bayan Program as a regular component of Rural Health Unit programs in every municipality.
“Lahat ng paaralan, business establishments, at government agencies ay ating pupuntahan. Dapat ma-ensure natin na walang residente sa Cagayan Valley ang maiiwan,” Lavadia said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Guia G. Comillas, chief Local Health Support Division of DOH-CVCHD, emphasized that healthcare providers will proactively visit communities to deliver health services.
“Hindi na natin hihintayin ang mga pasyente na pumunta sa atin para sa kanilang unang konsultasyon. Pupunta tayo sa mga bayan at barangay para magsagawa ng check-up,” Comillas said.
George B. Lorenzana Sr., social insurance officer of the Regional KonSulta Team-PhilHealth, urged other government agencies to help raise awareness about the KonSulta program.
He also emphasized the goal of increasing the number of registered members.
“Hopefully, by year 2025, makapagtala tayo ng minimum na 20,000 miyembro bawat munisipyo na nakarehistro sa mga health care provider,” Lorenzana stated. (OTB/MJFJ/PIA Region 2)
