TABUK CITY, Kalinga – To ensure a comprehensive approach to the health care system in the province, Local Chief Executives (LCEs) from the Provincial government and its component LGUs signed an inter-LGU Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for Universal Health Care (UHC) integration today at the Capitol Building.
According to Lilia Rose Say-awen from DOH-Kalinga, the MOA signing is aimed at strengthening collaborative linkages and ensuring a strong commitment from the partner local government units in the effective realization of Universal Health Care.
“The goal of the inter-LGU MOA is for all municipalities to commit to being integrated as a province-wide system because this is the objective of UHC. This means that we will not be working in silos but as one province.
Also, this aims to strengthen the primary care facilities of all Rural Health Units (RHU) to reduce the number of referrals to the provincial hospital, which is already overflowing with patients, and to further ensure that we provide the services needed at the RHU level,” she explained.
Under the MOA, this joint venture includes ensuring accessibility to quality healthcare, organizing primary care networks, upgrading health facilities, and improving management capacities. The agreement outlines the responsibilities and resources required for implementing these strategies as specified in the Local Investment Plan for Health (LIPH).
Say-awen further added that the ceremonial MOA signing with officials from the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth will be on July 18 at the Davidson Hotel, where the said agencies will discuss updates and execution process of the UHC and Special Health Funds (SHF) in detail as guide for LGUs. By Ruth Cupang
