Doctor, party-list group teaming up to push for inclusive healthcare system
Senatorial candidate Dr. Willie Ong is teaming up with public health advocate Anakalusugan Party-list for the May 13 elections to pursue in Congress legislative measures that will guarantee truly responsive and inclusive healthcare system in the country.
“We really are in the midst of a health crisis – we have at least 60 percent of sick Filipinos who
die without even being able to see a doctor,” stated Ong as he welcomed the alliance.
“I have found that partner in Anakalusugan, a party-list that truly represents us all – rich and poor, young and old – because health knows no political color or economic class,” he added.
On the other hand, Anakalusugan nominee Mike Defensor said the alliance will prove to be a strong force that will back better healthcare for all Filipinos.
“We are honored to join forces with Doc Willie. His advocacy is aligned with our own in Anakalusugan – that of pushing for affordable and accessible healthcare for all Filipinos,” said Defensor.
“Together, we will be a force to reckon with in Congress not just in passing necessary laws but also in serving as the Filipinos’ watchdog to ensure that Philhealth and the Department of Health deliver the services expected of them,” Defensor explained.
Just as Anakalusugan is the sole party-list running on a health platform in the forthcoming midterm elections, Ong – a social media sensation – holds the distinction of being the only doctor running for the Senate.
“The cost of healthcare and medical procedures in the Philippines is one of the highest in Asia. You have the rising number of dengue cases and a measles outbreak as well. All these make the need for health advocates in Congress an urgent matter,” Ong said.
The doctor, a former consultant of the DOH who has been conducting medical missions for at least 25 years now, said a priority would be to closely monitor the crafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Universal Health Care Law.
DOH and PhilHealth have 180 days to come up with the IRR since the landmark measure, which would pave the way for the inclusion of all Filipinos in the National Health Insurance Program, was signed into law by President Duterte in February.
3-point health agenda
Anakalusugan, for its part, is advocating for a three-point priority health agenda:
1. Ensure that all maintenance medicines are given free of charge under PhilHealth;
2. Provide free diagnostic tests to cover not just the curative but also the preventive aspect of healthcare; and
3. Allocate a fixed amount of allowance for barangay health workers and barangay nutrition scholars.
“You need a blood test or a diagnostic exam to get a proper prescription and accurately identify your illness, but in rural areas, the nearest hospital or clinic may be several towns away. The cost of these tests as well as that of maintenance medicines are also prohibitive,” Anakalusugan nominee Ower Andal said.