Govs, mayors urged to carry out health care reforms

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo has urged governors and mayors to ensure strict implementation of health care for their respective constituents.

Robredo said the Aquino administration’s Universal Health Care or “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan” (UHC-KP) program is aimed at improving the quality of health care services in the country.

Robredo said the UHC-KP seeks to improve, streamline, and scale up the strategies in the health sector reform agenda in order to address inequities in health outcomes by ensuring that all Filipinos, especially the poor, have access to quality health care.

He said the success of the program lies in the active participation of local government chief executives tasked to promote the UHC-KP at the local level.

“I urge our local chief executives to closely coordinate with the DILG and DOH (Department of Health) and participate in activities relative to the UHC-KP,” he said.

Under the guidelines, Robredo said the local chief executives shall organize technical working groups to oversee the implementation of UHC-KP, and provide the enabling environment for health sector reforms, namely legal framework, budget and logistical support.

Robredo and Health Secretary Enrique Ona has issued a joint memorandum circular prescribing the policies and guidelines for the UHC-KP’s implementation, to all governors and city and municipal mayors.

He said the circular will institutionalize responsibilities of the DOH, DILG and LGUs in carrying out the objectives of the UHC-KP in attaining the goals of the health reform program.

On the other hand, the DOH shall strengthen the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) as the prime mover in generating resources to modernize and sustain health facilities, while the DILG will be responsible in enjoining the development community to support the UHC-KP.

The guidelines also provide three strategic thrusts that the UHC-KP shall pursue: financial risk protection through expansion of NHIP enrollment and benefit delivery; improved access to quality hospitals and health care facilities; and attainment of health-related Millennium Development Goals.