Philippine Health Agenda 2016-2022 1

Reaction paper

Philippine Health Agenda 2016-2022

Iquin, Jesselle R.

Holy Angel University

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The Philippine Health Agenda 2016-2022 of Dutertes government accentuates health as

a fundamental right and take into consideration to eradicate restrictive and impoverishing

healthcare costs which negatively delays or prohibits Filipinos from seeking healthcare

treatment. The agenda under this administration values investment on people to attain universal

health coverage towards improvement of health status and enhancement of productivity to

maximize individual potentials and abilities.

The agenda, which emphasizes All for health towards health for all, aims for the goals

of financial protection, better health outcomes and responsiveness (Department of Health, 2016).

This highlights the security of Filipino people, most especially, the poor, marginalized and the

vulnerable from the high cost of health care incorporating the values of equity, quality,

efficiency, transparency, accountability, sustainability, and resilience. Through the integration of

these values, there is respect and empowerment of all as well as there is prevention of instability

in the health system. A focus on providing high quality services and efficient use of resources is

being worked on to prevent inequities in health outcomes such as pregnancy-related

complications, mortalities, and incidences that may affect the development of children, which

happens mostly from the poorest families because they lack access in healthcare.

The Department of Health (2016) considers three guarantees on this agenda. First

guarantee comprises all life stages (from newborn to elderly) and triple burden of disease

(communicable, non-communicable diseases and malnutrition, diseases of rapid urbanization and

industrialization). This exemplifies services for both the well and the sick and signifies that

health can be achieved by all regardless of individual status and condition. Second guarantee

includes service delivery network that are fully functional, compliant with clinical practice

guidelines, with health facilities available even during disasters and with location close to the
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people, with inclusion of gate keeping practices and enhancement of services through

telemedicine. Third guarantee embraces universal health insurance (Philhealth) which allows for

financial freedom when accessing services and provides a gateway towards free and affordable

care through No Balance Billing Policy.

The Department of Health (2016) formulated the A.C.H.I.E.V.E. strategies of the health

agenda. The first strategy includes advance quality, health promotion and primary care. Through

conduction of annual health visits for all poor families and special populations, health status can

be monitored to prevent illness and promote wellness. By transforming Department of Health

(DOH) hospitals into mega- hospitals, multi specialty training can be achieved thus improving

services among facilities. By establishing expert bodies for health promotion and surveillance,

there will be leaders that will support the local government units in advancing pro-health

resolutions or ordinances. Furthermore, the development of explicit list of primary care

entitlements will serve as a basis for licensing and contracting arrangements. The second strategy

which encompasses the expansion of Philhealth benefits, enhancement of contracting policies,

updating of costing, the raising of revenues for health, enables sustainability of coverage of all

Filipinos against health-related financial risk. The third strategy facilitates the power of strategic

Human Resource for Health (HRH) development. The revision of health profession curriculum

leads to a more primary care-oriented and be responsive to local and global needs. The

improvement of compensation package to high risk and Geographically Isolated and

Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) as well as the availability of fully funded scholarships for HRH

hailing from GIDA areas, the return of service schemes for all health graduates, and the update of

frontline staffing allows enrichment of professionalism and competency among service workers.

The fourth strategy which entails investment in eHealth for decision-making allows easy access
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to available data through the uses of electronic medical records in all health facilities and may

automate and business intelligence tools. The technological advancement may improve service

through efficient systems however I believe that these may bring about confidentiality issues.

The fifth strategy aspires to enforce standards, accountability and transparency through

publishing health information and setting up of dedicated performance monitoring unit to track

progress of reforms. The sixth strategy plans to value all types of clients, with prioritization of

the poor, marginalized and vulnerable through decent accommodation and transparency of

processes along DOH health facilities. The last strategy intends to elicit multi-sectoral and multi-

stakeholder support for health in order to address social determinants. This strategy develops

collaboration among private sectors and national government agencies and it permits thorough

assessment of public health management plan before initiating high-risk infrastructure projects.

Health makes an impact as it contributes to economic progress because it helps to

increase life expectancy and caters productivity and wellness. An agenda which is geared

towards financial protection through improvement of government health facilities, expansion of

Philhealth coverage and scaling up of public health interventions, to attain health-related

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), gives opportunities to all Filipinos to exercise their

privilege in getting necessary quality healthcare services from preventive, curative, rehabilitative

and palliative care without the risk of financial needs. This can benefit all people, most especially

the poor, deprived and marginalized who have higher risks of illness and disability. Since the

focus of the agenda is risk management and development considering the needs of majority, I

believe that we can reach the objectives of Healthy Philippines by the year 2022.
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Reference

Department of Health. (2016). Philippine health agenda 2016-2022: Healthy Philippines 2022.

Retrieved May 6, 2017 from

http://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/basicpage/Philippine%20Health

%20Agenda_Dec1_1.pdf.