BAGUIO CITY– The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance integrating the palliative and hospice care program in the city.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda states the City Health Services Office (CHSO), in coordination with the City Social Welfare and Development, shall formulate the necessary programs for the delivery of quality palliative and hospice care to the patients in the city.
The ordinance adds that the CHSO, through the 16 district health centers, will be designated as the center of palliative and hospice care and each district health center shall integrate in their services the delivery of quality palliative and hospice care in their areas of jurisdiction, with the help of the barangay health workers.
The ordinance points out that the CHSO shall ensure the involvement of concerned stakeholders in all its plans and programs that will be developed and implemented.
According to the proposed city legislative measure, for the effective and efficient delivery and integration of the palliative and hospice care in the city, the CSHO shall consider the formulation of a policy that will integrate palliative and hospice care that will cater to age-related needs; integration of the same to the city’s health care system and shall be institutionalized at all levels of care from primary to tertiary levels care through the service delivery network; holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to palliative and hospice care that includes, but not limited to, physician care, nursing care, medications, medical supplies and equipment, counselling, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy; provision palliative and hospice care services through a community home-based care approach; research and advocacy on palliative and hospice care that will be coordinated by the CHSO and the training of health professionals and stakeholders, including the family members of the patient which shall be spearheaded by the said office in collaboration with other sectors and relevant disciplines.
The ordinance stipulates that initial funds for the said purpose shall be sourced by the CHSO from any available funds and that an annual appropriation for the program shall be incorporated with the annual budget of the concerned office.
The 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the State shall promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.
Pursuant to the aforesaid policy, the city government, through the CHSO, offers programs, projects and services on health, for the general welfare of its constituency as mandated by the pertinent provision of Republic Act (RA) 7160 or the City Government Code of the Philippines.
Guided by its commitment to bring its primary health care services closer to the grassroots, the CHSO established 16 district health centers mandated to bring quality medical care to every resident of the community.
The health department issued Administrative Order 2015-052 outlining the national policy on palliative and hospice care in the country which defined the roles of city governments on the provision of the palliative and hospice care in their jurisdictions.
By Dexter A. See
