Unilab forum: LGUs face financing, data gaps in universal health care

Insider Spotlight

• Unilab Foundation’s first Executive Symposium examined how local governments can improve universal health care delivery
• Financing, patient data governance and the translation of national policies into local services dominated discussions
• National and local officials explored ways to better align health spending and services with community needs
  
  
  
  

Local governments need to strengthen health financing, data governance and coordination with the national government as the Philippines moves to turn universal health care policies into services that patients can actually access.

These issues took center stage at the Unilab Foundation’s first Executive Symposium, which brought together about 200 national policymakers, governors, mayors, health officials and researchers to discuss the practical challenges of implementing universal health care, or UHC, in cities and provinces.

Jose Maria  Ochave

The Unilab Foundation chief emphasized the importance of cooperation between government and the private sector.

Why it matters

The discussions highlighted the critical role of local government units in determining whether national health reforms translate into better services, particularly as provinces and cities manage funding, health facilities and patient information.

Health Secretary Edwin Mercado and Budget and Management Secretary Kim Robert De Leon presented national policy perspectives, while Finance Secretary Frederick Go delivered a video message.

Leonor 'Leni' Robredo

The Naga City mayor cited the public inroads made in her city by using data to drive policy decisions.

Data as infrastructure

Naga City Mayor Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and Ariadne Labs’ Dr. Janine Patricia Robredo discussed Naga City’s approach to primary health care data governance.

Governors Arthur Defensor Jr. of Iloilo, Pamela Baricuatro of Cebu and Eugenio Lacson of Negros Occidental also shared their experiences implementing UHC, alongside BARMM Deputy Health Minister Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas.

Follow the money

Acting PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho discussed the relationship between health financing and local health outcomes, while Ateneo School of Government’s Dr. Maria Eufemia Yap presented findings from the Local Health Financing Project.

Officials from several provinces and cities also examined how local plans, financial resources and health services could be better matched with community needs.

The symposium concluded with national-level implications and recommendations presented by the Ateneo School of Government, followed by discussions involving the Department of Health, WeSolve Foundation and Zuellig Family Foundation.

The event was organized under Unilab Foundation’s Sustainable Health Care program, which implements public-private UHC initiatives at the grassroots level. — Daxim L.  Lucas | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma