BATAC CITY – Following Apayao’s designation as a Universal Health Care Integration Site (UHC-IS) in 2022, a gathering of health officials and experts was organized within the framework of the ongoing efforts to establish the Province-Wide Health System (PWHS) was held on January 23, 2024 in Batac City.
The Provincial Health Office of Apayao (PHO), in collaboration with the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC), convened for a coordination meeting to formulate a comprehensive set of rules and regulations that would effectively govern the Preferred Health Care Provider Network (HCPN) and Referral System, aiming to expedite the seamless integration of UHC across the province and further solidifying the province’s commitment to providing accessible and quality healthcare services to its residents.
The collaboration also involved the expertise of a finance officer from the accounting office, underscoring the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare management.
Given the strategic proximity of the MMMHMC to the province, the facility has been identified as a potential apex hospital within the PWHS.
The PHO highlighted the significance of this collaboration and emphasized its role in advancing the implementation of UHC in Apayao. In attendance were key stakeholders, including representatives from the Provincial Department of Health Office (PHODO), Chief of Far North Luzon General Hospital and Training Center (FNLGHT), Medical Specialists from Conner District Hospital (CDH), as well as Public Health Unit representatives.
Ma. Lourdes K. Otayza, Medical Center Chief II, in her message said “Mariano Marcos had a long-standing relationship with Apayao way before this UHC implementation. We have been catering to its constituents eversince and have been extending technical assistance whenever we can. In fact, we have been a big sister to your DOH hospitals in the area, especially FNLGHTC.”
Otayza also hopes that the collaboration shall become a continuing relationship with stronger bonds.
“We are more than happy that we are formalizing our relationship and MMMHMC will always try to strive for excellence as one of your health service providers. Apayao is always welcome to MMMHMC,” she added. By M. Legaspi
