TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Health – Center for Health and Development (DOH-CHD) in Eastern Visayas conducted a Leadership and Development Program for Universal Health Care (UHC) and initial vetting of milestones for the Regional Core Team.

The passing of UHC or R.A 11223 in the Philippines was part of health sector reform. This landmark legislation seeks to revitalize health care through a whole-of-system, whole-of-government, whole-of-society, people centered approach. It recognizes that health systems are naturally complex, dynamic, and adaptive.

With the implementation of UHC, all Filipinos are guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health care goods and services and are protected against financial risk. It helps ensure every Filipino is healthy, protected from health hazards and risks, and has access to affordable, quality and readily available health services that are suitable to their needs.

To date, Eastern Visayas has the most number of advanced implementing sites (AIS) for UHC in the entire country. At least 6 provinces are AIS which included provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar, and northern Samar.

In the UHC tracer planning, Eastern Samar had three major activities including client satisfaction, access to medicine and nutrition program.

Meanwhile, Leyte has 3 major activities in their tracer plan which included institutionalization of Disaster Risk Reduction Plan, health care provider network and nutrition and health in emergencies. The four provinces have yet to submit their respective tracer plans to push UHC implementation in their provinces.

Participated by DOH, NNC, Philhealth and Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF). It was facilitated by former Tolosa Mayor and freelance consultant Dr. Maria Ofelia Ocana Alcantara.  #RNPC-CPD