BAGUIO CITY— Ensuring that Universal Health Care is available for everyone, the Department of Health-Cordillera emphasized in making efforts for proper implementation of the Healthcare Provider Network to assure that in 2025, health is felt by everyone.
Healthcare Provider Network provides a group of people navigating patients with proper healthcare with consideration of facilities, infrastructure, and epidemiology and surveillance units.
DOH-CAR Director Dr. Rio Magpantay explained the program as he gave health-related updates on a recent Kapihan sa Baguio. He said that there is a need for people to understand the matter for them to provide better medical service. To fulfill the goal, the department needs to find the gaps to come-up with needed solutions.
He then shared their covered commitment to achieving Universal Health Care
Including the commitment of each Local Chief Executive with strong leadership and health governance. Last November, municipalities in Mountain Province and Ifugao expressed their support towards establishing HCPNs in their respective provinces. As of December 2023, all provinces and cities in the region have established their HCPNs, of which Baguio City, Benguet, Ifugao, and Mt. Province had formal agreements. With the signing of a moa Dr. Magpantay expects to implement HCPN properly in the right time.
Moreover, he reminded people to have a healthier holiday celebration, making it happy and organized by eating nutritious food, drinking in moderation, wearing facemask to avoid respiratory illnesses, washing hands, and refraining from using firecrackers.
Dr. Magpantay also emphasized spending quality time with the family, “It’s better if you don’t have work outside. Always be with your family. That’s the best gift that you could give to your loved ones.”
Further, preparedness for potential calamities was also given attention. He said that Disaster Risk Reduction and Management for Health should be institutionalized in towns, municipalities, cities, and of the entire province. Rural Health Units and other private units should also be prepared that they must be licensed and accredited to primary health care, “Kaya inaasahan natin na sa ating mga paalala dito sa Cordillera, saan mang sulok, kalusugan ay maabot,” Dr. Magpantay concluded. By Adrian Mas
