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Friday, March 29, 2024

Forum calls for action on Universal Healthcare

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Stakeholders in the public health sector recently called for concerted action to implement Universal Health Care in the recently concluded “Health for Juan and Juana: Moving Forward with the Philippine Health Agenda” Forum.

The forum gathered the present administration’s health, social and economic teams along with current and former health secretaries to collectively work on President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise to provide healthcare as part of Ambisyon Natin 2040.  

The vision shared by Department of Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno talked about the Filipino’s aspiration to have a life which is Matatag (strongly-bonded relationships), Maginhawa (comfortable lifestyle) at Panatag (secure future).

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Asian Development Bank’s Dr. Eduardo Banzon, former Health secretaries Enrique Ona and Janette Garin, PHAP executive director Teodoro Padilla, former Health secretary Esperanza Cabral, Senator Ralph Recto, and former Health secretary Manuel Dayrit (from left) attend the ‘Health for Juan and Juana’ forum. 

Senator Ralph Recto proposed a “One Town, One Doctor” program to ensure that healthcare will be accessible to communities. 

In her message, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial stated that the government aspires for a health system that is equitable and inclusive to all, efficient, transparent and accountable, and that which provides high-quality services.

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Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, on the other hand, emphasized that among the most important measures of the inclusiveness of a country’s economic development is public access to health care.

According to Dr. Vivian Lin, director of Health Systems of the World Health Organization, there is a need for a whole of government and whole of society approach to deliver Universal Health Care with government providing the leadership and vision.  

Also in the forum were officials of the National Economic and Development Authority, and Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The “Health for Juan and Juana Forum”  was organized by the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines, Asian Development Bank, Asian Institute of Management, PHAPCares Foundation, Zuellig Family Foundation, Health PRx, Havas Life, QuintilesIMS, META Philippines, and the US-Asean Business Council.

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