DOH pushes progs to boost health care

BAGUIO CITY -- With the Implementing Rules and Regulation  of  the Universal Health Care law already set along with the medium – term blue print Formula One (F1) Plus for Health,  the Department of Health(DOH) in convergence with all stakeholders, gears up  for a  stronger and healthier Philippines.

To enjoin Cordillera stakeholders to such vision, DOH – CAR highlighted this in this year’s regional health forum, Am – among for Health Plus 2019, “Cordillera to DOH Arangkada Tungo sa Universal Health Care, Kasama Ka!”  held at Crown Legacy Hotel here last Dec. 5 and 6.

 USEC Myrna Cabotaje of the DOH Public Health Services Team, in her inspirational message during the forum, outlined that with UHC and F1 Plus, the health department primary goals are to bring better health outcomes, more responsive health system and an equitable health care financing for the Filipino people.

 It is the government’s shared vision of ensuring that every Juan and Juana will have a healthy home, school and workplace which allow him or her to choose the healthful option matched to a primary provider team working together to ensure that care is delivered at the right place and at the right time; and that their health spending is predictable and will not force them to financial ruin because adequate and effective safety nets are in place, she explained.

 As she assured the national government and DOH’s strong commitment in stepping up to deliver  not only a higher quality of healthcare but also a higher quality of life, Cabotaje also called  for continuing partnership with Cordillera health stakeholders in bringing the UHC vision into reality.

During the Am - among, USEC Mario Villaverde of the DOH Health Policy and Systems Development Team, presented to the general overview of the Universal Health Care and its IRR.

For regional health updates, DOH – CAR and the Provincial DRRM Council of Benguet, through the Provincial health Office, presented the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management – Health (DRRM – H) System for Resilience in Benguet, the first for the region. DOH and Philhealth also launched the Cordillera Senior Citizen Handbook along with the memorandum of agreement signing for its pilot use in the city of Baguio.

 The Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center as Cordillera’s Apex Hospital also provided an update on their operations and on – going upgrading/development projects.

 Closing the forum is the signing of the participating regional health stakeholders for the Pledge of Commitment to the Universal Health Care. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR