BAGUIO CITY (PIA) - - The country’s Health Care System has mainstreamed the COVID – 19 response actions and  contains contingency plans for any possible new or emerging diseases that may bring health challenges this 2023 and beyond.

Department of Health OIC Secretary Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire bared this in a media forum at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) Garden, Sunday (January 1, 2023).

 “Tayo simula’t - sapul nitong administrasyon na ito, we started integrating already itong COVID-19 into our normal programs, ibig sabihin, ung ibang public health programs natin ngayon at iyung mga strategies na ating isinasagawa  lalo na yung Universal Health Care and primary care - iyong mga ginagawa natin for COVID – 19 ay kasama na sa loob nito.”

“Makaka-asa po ang ating mga kababayan na ang ating sistema sa kalusugan, ang health care system natin ay handang-handa na po, other than COVID-19 pati sa iba pang sakit na maaari nating maranasan sa mga susunod na buwan, o kaya ay sa mga susunod na taon,” Vergeire said.

The Secretary shared that under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, one of the primary focus is the establishments of specialty centers all over the country. So far, there are already 46 functional specialty centers and the establishment of additional 104 is set for this year.

“This will provide better access to all Filipinos  para sa iba’t- ibang klase ng  pangangailangan  in terms of specialty care tulad ng sa kanser, sakit sa puso, sakit baga at mga iba pa”, Vergeire said.

To make health services accessible to the Filipino people, Vergeire also shared that there are already around 2,800 primary care facilities in the country that are accredited by Philhealth.

Aside from  providing access to basic services, these  also provide financial help through the Philhealth benefit packages.

The DOH is also engaging 1,500 pharmaceutical outlets in line with the plan for Philhealth to have an outpatient drug/medicine benefit, she added.

“So lahat ng ito ay isinasagawa natin sa ngayon, pinagtitibay at pinalalakas po natin lahat ng ating institutions tulad ng PhilHealth, Philippine Food and Drug Administration, at ang Kagawaran ng Kalusugan mismo,” Vergeire said.

Vergiere led other DOH officials in visiting various sentinel hospitals all over the country on New Year’s Day as part of the “Iwas Paputok” campaign monitoring.

 In her visit to the BGHMC, the OIC Secretary also hosted a media forum to give updates on recorded fireworks – related injuries and other health concerns. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)