Swiss-Phl forum on achieving universal health coverage held
Swiss and Filipino stakeholders in the healthcare sector gathered recently at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters in Mandaluyong City to present and learn from innovative health policies and programs being implemented by Switzerland and the Philippines.
“Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Access to Quality Healthcare: Aspirations in the Philippines and Switzerland” is organized by the embassy of Switzerland and ADB in partnership with Novartis and other Swiss healthcare companies operating in the country.
“This forum aims to help the Philippines and other ADB developing member countries transitioning to universal health care cope with tough challenges. These challenges include aging populations, the rise of non-communicable diseases, increasing demand for quality healthcare services and lack of healthcare providers, system inefficiencies and financial constraints, increasing mobility of healthcare providers and rising costs of new health technologies,” Dr. Eduardo Banzon, principal health specialist, sustainable velopment and climate change department, ADB said.
“Developing new and innovative ways to enhance healthcare access in developing countries is one of the top priorities of Novartis. We are privileged to share lessons from our access ap- proaches, which include shared value and zero-profit initiatives, patient assistance programs, as well as philanthropy,” Dr. Juergen Brokatzky-Geiger, global head of corporate responsibility, Novartis said.
“Novartis is privileged to support this timely forum that will present innovative Swiss and Philippine health policies and programs. These innovations can inform and facilitate universal health coverage efforts and strengthen local government health care systems of the Philippines. These best practices can likewise guide the UHC efforts of other ADB developing member countries,” said Cheryl Maley, president and managing director, Novartis Healthcare Philippines.
“It is fitting that we are holding this collaborative health forum this year, as 2017 marks the 60th anniversary of cordial bilateral ties between Switzerland and the Philippines, which have been characterized by regular political dialogue, extensive trade and ad hoc humanitarian aid operations after natural disasters,” said Swiss Ambassador and Head of Mission Andrea Reichlin.