State Dining Room, Malacañan Palace
October 24, 2023

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. listened to the Department of Health (DOH) as it discussed updates on the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law in the country during a sectoral meeting at the State Dining Room in Malacañan Palace.

DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa reported the recent developments concerning the UHC Law since it was passed in 2019, such as the commitment of 71 local government units (LGUs) to integrate their local health systems into a Universal Healthcare Integration site. Of this number, five (5) LGUs are now considered as a Primary Care Provider Network sandbox, including Baguio, Bataan, Guimaras, Quezon Province and South Cotabato.

He also proposed for the creation of a UHC Coordinating Council that will serve as a national governance body in overseeing the implementation of the Law in all localities. Additionally, it will be an avenue for the government to discuss relevant concerns regarding the Law, including the conduct of public financial management trainings and other measures to further hone the capacities of local health officials, especially those at the barangay levels, in order to maximize the public’s access to quality healthcare.

President Marcos Jr. reiterated the need for the government to strengthen health policies in the national level in order to effectively implement the UHC Law in the LGUs, expressing his full support to the DOH’s vision of transforming the healthcare system through the said law.

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