Sarangani Provincial Local Health Board discusses UHC implementation

 

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (November 11, 2022) - The 4th Provincial Local Health Board convened on November 11, 2022, at the East Asia Royale Hotel to discuss the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) and the details about the Special Health Fund.

Under the UHC, the reconstitution of the Sarangani Provincial Local Health Board (SPLHB) was given way with Governor Rogelio D. Pacquiao as chairman, Dr. Arvin C. Alejandro as vice chairman, and the municipal mayors as members. Present during the meeting were Alabel Mayor Vic Paul Molina Salarda, Kiamba Mayor George Falgui, Glan Mayor Victor James Yap Sr., Malapatan Mayor Salway Sumbo Jr., and Maasim Mayor Zyrex Pacquiao.

Recognizing the challenges that the province is facing in the implementation of the UHC, Governor Pacquiao declared, “As Chairman of the Sarangani Provincial Local Health Board, I am committed to providing solutions so we can provide better health services to our constituents.”

The SPLHB also includes the six Civic Society Organizations as members: SACI Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (SARBCO), Badtasan Farmers Irrigators Association (BAFIA) of Kiamba, Kasilak Development Foundation, Muslim-Christian Fisherfolks Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MCFMP), Mahintana Foundation, and Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP). Their representatives took part in the meeting.

Sarangani Province is one of the Implementing Sites of the UHC by virtue of signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated August 21, 2021 between DOH, PHIC, and Sarangani Province as authorized by SP Resolution No. 2019-9-026.

Through the Special Health Fund (SHF), as prescribed in the UHC Act, all resources intended for health services to finance population-based health services, health system operating costs, capital investments, and remuneration of additional health workers and incentives for all health workers will be pooled and managed.

Dr. Alejandro said, “Pooling of health funds creates opportunities for redistribution of resources to support equitable access to needed services and maximizing health fund utilization for services through innovative approach like consignment system, cheaper cost of hospitalization of our constituents referred to Gensan hospitals as part of our healthcare provider network.”

The SPLHB approved a resolution to have a seed money of P20.00 per capita, which sums up to a total of P11,782,140.00, as an initial Provincial and Municipal counterpart which will be deposited in the SHF.

Among the advantages of SHF are the streamlined management of patients and appropriate navigation to facilities like referral to specialty hospitals, cheaper cost of health services, and zero billing of LGU indigent patients in the province-run hospitals.

Dr. Alejandro disclosed, "The Municipal Hospital Districting being pushed by the new administration is the answer to the health services needs of our constituents in the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) without them going to the poblacion where most of the services are currently available."

Provincial Administrator Atty. Ryan Ramos affirms the commitment of the province in implementing the UHC, acknowledging that it seeks to provide Filipinos with equitable access to affordable and quality health services without causing financial hardship. (Joana Grace Banting-Lapore & photos by Nico Aguilar/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

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