The Department of Health and PhilHealth are gearing up full speed for the implementation of Universal Health Care as Health Secretary Francisco Duque III led the 4th National Health Sector Meeting at the Oriental Hotel, Legazpi, Albay to mobilize and align resources towards achieving the shared vision of UHC.
The three-day event is a quarterly gathering of all key stakeholders in the Health Sector, to convey strategic direction, share best practices, and plan the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act.
Anchored on the theme “Ensuring Equitable Health Care and Financial Sustainability,” speakers from the DOH, PhilHealth, other Government Agencies, Civil Society Organizations and the academe discussed the strategic and policy directions for the sector.
“As we are drafting the IRR of UHC, we are here at the National Health Sector Meeting to convene key stakeholders and recalibrate our efforts in preparation for the various changes we must make to implement UHC, particularly in health financing and funds sustainability,” said Duque.
The event also marks the first public appearance of newly appointed board member, Ret. Gen. Ricardo C. Morales, who is set to take on the PhilHealth leadership.
Duque shared the faith placed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Morales’s ability to regain the trust and confidence of the Filipino people in PhilHealth and implement the key health financing aspects of the UHC Act—comprehensive membership, rational investments, and quality primary care services.
“PhilHealth is in high gear in the road towards achieving universal health care. We are one with our health sector partners in supporting unified efforts towards the achievement of UHC goals,” said Morales.
“We rally all stakeholders to march together undeterred in our mission to actualize this landmark health reform,” he added.