President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. announced Tuesday that the Philippines is nearing its goal of achieving full implementation of its universal healthcare goal during his visit to the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center in Balanga City to check on its zero-billing policy.
“We are 80% of the way to universal healthcare. We’re just a little bit away from achieving it,” Mr. Marcos said, adding that the government’s next challenge is sustaining the economy to finance the program and strengthening health systems.
President Marcos expressed confidence that the dedication of the country’s doctors, nurses and health workers would help realize the dream of full universal healthcare.
He said implementation of the government’s zero-balance billing program in public hospitals, such as the Bataan General Hospital, is bringing the country closer to achieving universal healthcare.
President Marcos visited the facility to inspect its services, including a new feature that allows patients to receive their discharge papers and billing clearance directly in their rooms, sparing them from lining up at the cashier.
“Still zero billing, but instead of the patient lining up at the cashier before discharge, when the patient is about to be discharged, their zero billing is brought to them, another added convenience which I think we should adopt all around the country,” President Marcos said.
The president noted that the program has removed financial barriers that once discouraged Filipinos from seeking medical care.
“Those who used to hesitate to go to hospitals or get treatment because they feared the costs no longer have that problem,” he said.
According to the Department of Health, 78 hospitals nationwide are now implementing zero-balance billing. In Bataan General Hospital alone, 2,976 patients have already benefited.
President Marcos also highlighted the opening of Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) centers, which provide laboratory tests, maternal and child services, and minor surgical procedures.
Patients requiring confinement are referred to larger hospitals. He said these facilities will help decongest major hospitals while expanding access to health services.
