THE PRESIDENT has signed the Universal Healthcare Law, a landmark legislation that makes healthcare services more accessible to every Filipino. But there are implementation issues that the national government must address.
For universal healthcare to succeed, Filipino families everywhere in the country must be made aware that they are covered – free check-ups, free basic laboratory tests, free basic maintenance medicines, and free room in public hospitals. Every Filipino now gets PhilHealth coverage. The difficult part is informing all of them about it.
Awareness about the new law must cascade down to the barangays, especially the countryside where newspapers and newscasts are not seen every day. We cannot just assume they will know about this because of the initial news reports about the law’s signing. The poor have limited access to news and media, and when they do get access, they access entertainment, not news. Barangays must be mobilized. Information materials must reach all families. Details about PhilHealth coverage should be in every home.
Yes, the new law must get priority funding from the Department of Health and Department of Budget and Management.
With the Universal Healthcare Law, we will see an increase in hospital visits and consultations to the doctor. Filipinos who have never consulted a doctor in their entire life will hopefully be encouraged to visit the nearest accredited hospitals since consultations is covered by PhilHealth. Over time, we should gradually see an overall improvement of our health as a nation.
A healthy Philippines will become a much more progressive, developed, and economically-strong nation.
