Paradigm shift to primary care

Scholars, health groups, and DoH, pushed for strengthened primary health care system, noting it is “crucial” and “necessary” in achieving universal health care in the country.

Time and again, the poorest Filipinos bear the brunt of “double burden of disease,” the “chronic and lifestyle related” infectious and non-communicable

- cies’ of “weak and or nonexistent” health systems, an overview of the government- supported pilot study series Philippine Primary Care Studies (UP-PPCS) of the University of the Philippines indicated.

The UP-PPCS is developing a new paradigm on primary care system in the country, seeking to veer away from the “American style” in which individuals bypass primary care providers in community-based health centers and seek treatment from specialists Health Secretary Francisco Duque III visits the Leptospirosis victim at the San Lazaro hospital on July 2. DoH records a total of 99 deaths out of 1,030 leptospirosis cases in the country from January 1 to June 9, 2018.

in higher hospitals.

Medical doctor Antonio Dans, UPPPCS head, and academician from the National Academy of Science Technology said: “We are doing one in a private setting [which is in UP], with hopes that

“it would be a test laboratory for innovation in health care systems.”

He said that primary care system “has worked” there. The challenge now is to “make it work for Bulusan, Sorsogon” where there are no laboratories or

pharmacies.

to the ordinary Filipinos for if we are able to take care of their health, we could save them from having serious illnesses,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd said.

“Governors who handle provincial hospitals saw the importance of investing in primary care, so these people would not have to need secondary care,” said Tanquieng.

In support of this goal, the UHC Bill is now in the pipeline at the Senate. A substitute bill was approved by the House of Representatives in September last year

P337.3 billion; year seven, P354.3 billion, year eight, P374 billion; year nine, P390.3 billion; and year 10, P411.7 billion.

The greatest portion would go to PhilHealth premium contributions of the 65.2- million non- contributory members of the country at P3,500 per family annually, followed by the capitation to cover for all the 65.2-million direct contributory members; plantilla in health facilities, barangay (village), health units and hospital beds; and “expanded” regulation of health policies, medicines, facilities, products and evidence-based decision making.