“PBBM is putting money where his mouth is,” said the Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa.
He shares in an interview at PTV about the 2024 Performance Report of the Department of Health (DOH) that President Marcos Jr. reassures us, Filipinos, that we don’t need to worry more about our health because he is increasing the budget of the health sector.
By putting much higher budgets in the health sector, the administration shows how they are dedicated to bringing quality healthcare closer to the doorstep of every Filipino. One of the projects under the 8-point agenda of the Department of Health is the PuroKalusugan. The PuroKalusugan is a program by the Department of Health (DOH) aimed at delivering essential healthcare services directly to residents of “puroks” or barangay zones nationwide.
Expanding Healthcare Access Nationwide
The PuroKalusugan program is part of the DOH’s Eight-Point Action Agenda, which prioritizes vaccination, nutrition, water sanitation, maternal health, tuberculosis (TB) and HIV screening, road safety, non-communicable disease prevention, and cancer treatment. By focusing on these eight areas, the program aims to reduce health disparities and improve overall well-being.
Under this initiative, Filipinos can receive free medical services, including maternal and child healthcare, immunization programs, water, sanitation, and hygiene education, nutrition support and wellness education, tuberculosis (TB) and HIV control programs, chronic disease prevention (diabetes, hypertension, etc.), and dental and vision care.
By decentralizing healthcare, PuroKalusugan ensures that Filipinos, especially those in far-flung areas, no longer need to travel long distances for essential medical services, especially for primary care services. President Marcos Jr. emphasized, “We must bring medical services to the people and not wait for them to come to our hospitals and health care centers.”
From Launch to Expansion: The Growth of PuroKalusugan
The program was first introduced in Navotas City on July 31, 2023, and has since expanded to multiple provinces, including Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, and La Union. Through strong collaboration with local government units (LGUs), community leaders, and barangay health workers, the DOH has served over 10,000 Filipinos with medical checkups, vaccinations, laboratory tests, and health screenings.
Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa praised the program’s rapid expansion, saying, “BUCAS Centers and PuroKalusugan are DOH-led and local community-supported health programs. They are the response of President Marcos Jr. to the need to fulfill the healthcare needs of every Filipino.”
Stories from Beneficiaries
The PuroKalusugan program continues to make improvements in providing essential healthcare services to Filipinos, particularly those in remote and underserved areas.
In Hilongos, Leyte, the program has brought much-needed medical services to elderly residents who previously had difficulty accessing healthcare. Prior to PuroKalusugan, traveling to the town center for medical attention was a challenge, especially for senior citizens. “Mahirap sa una, wala pa itong mga project mula sa gobyerno. Yung pag-travel patungo dun sa bayan namin, ang hirap-hirap. Kung magkasakit kami, mahirap din.” said Marcela Lampios, a resident of Hilongos.
Lampios further emphasized the importance of the program for senior citizens in their area. “Nagpapasalamat ako at grupo ng mga senior citizens sa PuroKalusugan, mayroon ng doktor, mayroong nars kada Martes at Huwebes, pumupunta sila rito para mag-asikaso at magcheck up. Dati ho, wala akong maintenance kahit diabetic po ako. Ngayon, mayroon na akong medisina para sa high blood pressure ko.”
She also expressed her gratitude to the government for prioritizing the needs of the elderly. “President BBM, salamat sa lahat ng mga tulong mo sa senior citizens. Maraming salamat, sana po ay magtuloy-tuloy ang inyong program. Luha ito ng kagalakan, salamat.”
Similarly, in Ilocos Sur, residents have benefited from free medical assistance, including vision care. “This program is wonderful because we cannot afford hospital checkups,” said Gunilene Sabalburo, 48, a local resident. “I am grateful for the free eyeglasses that have helped me in my daily life.”
With its growing reach and continued government support, PuroKalusugan will further transform healthcare delivery in the Philippines. By ensuring that even the most marginalized sectors have access to medical services, the program is paving the way for a healthier and more resilient nation.
PuroKalusugan Strengthens Community Health
One of the most important aspects of PuroKalusugan is its focus on community-based healthcare. Instead of waiting for people to visit clinics and hospitals, the DOH is taking a proactive approach by deploying health workers and purok (village) leaders directly to the barangays.
Barangay health workers and purok leaders conduct house-to-house visits, identifying individuals who need medical care, immunizations, and follow-up checkups. This approach ensures that infants receive vaccinations, seniors get proper medications, and people with chronic illnesses receive ongoing medical attention.
The Marcos Jr. Administration’s Healthcare Commitment
The Marcos Jr. administration has prioritized expanding and improving healthcare services across the country. By increasing healthcare funding, investing in mobile clinics, and hiring additional healthcare professionals, the government aims to make quality medical services accessible to all.
This commitment to public health is evident through higher budget allocations for healthcare and infrastructure improvements in barangay health stations nationwide.
The administration has set a nationwide implementation target for 2025, with plans to:
- Expand telemedicine services to provide remote consultations.
- Increase the distribution of free medicines for chronic and infectious diseases.
- Enhance healthcare training for barangay health workers.
- Deploy more mobile clinics to reach isolated areas.
The administration believes that by tackling these challenges head-on, every Filipino will have access to proper medical care, no matter where they live.
The PuroKalusugan program represents a major step forward in making universal healthcare a reality for all Filipinos. This initiative ensures that essential medical services will be accessible to every community.
Through innovative healthcare approaches, community involvement, and strong government support, PuroKalusugan is redefining how healthcare is delivered in the Philippines. And when a nation has healthy citizens, its future is certainly secured.
