To create an effective and responsive provincial health systems in support of the Universal Health Care Law, the Department of Health (DOH) – CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) in partnership with the Zuellig Family Foundation Institute (ZFFI) for Health Leadership started the 3-year capacity building for Governors and Provincial Health Officers.
Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said the program with the theme, “PHO4UHC – A Bridging Leadership Approach In Making Your Health System UHC-Ready” aims to develop strategic leadership, governance and management skills.
He said participants will be provided with innovative and creative ways to attain the objectives of UHC. He said all programs in our health system should be in place
“We can do this because we already have the Universal Health Care Law. We will strengthen our health services in our primary health care,” emphasized Janairo.
He acknowledged the significant role of PHO and our at ng LGUs in the success of UHC because they will lead the implementation of the program and the giving of direction, policies, regulations, deployment of resources to accomplish goals and ensuring that all these objectives are met.
“You need to look beyond your mandate as a local leader and to a more significant role of being the principal administrator for the success of the UHC,” he added.
“You need to be pro-active in planning and implementing health programs and responsive in addressing the needs of those needing health care and treatment.
The PHO for UHC program is part of the 3-year capacity building program for governors and the Provincial Health Office teams enrolled under the Provincial Leadership and Management Program (PLMP).
According to MLGP Regional Coordinator Erickson Manuel Pawig, the program employs a “train-interact-apply” learning approach to facilitate a high-level of self- and system-awareness, build and strengthen trust-building relationships with key partners and stakeholders for collaborative response, and establish new institutional and community-based arrangements for a more effective and responsive health system.
“Among the enrollees from the province are key officials and program managers of the Provincial Health Office (PHO), chiefs of hospitals and representatives from the provincial government office who are involved in planning, employing fiscal administration and human resource management. The participants are expected to graduate after 3-years,” he added.
Two provinces of CALABARZON are among the 33 identified implementation sites namely Batangas and Quezon. The other provinces and cities are Valenzuela, Parañaque, Dagupan City, Baguio, Benguet, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Bataan, Tarlac, Oriental Mindoro, Masbate, Sorsogon, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Iloilo, Cebu province, Biliran, Leyte, Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Maguindanao.