FROM the ongoing coronavirus pandemic to the death of former President Benigno Aquino III, there are so many reflections to be made.
Allow us to reflect on one – health, and specifically primary healthcare which perhaps should be the public’s focus in this time of terrible health crisis. The country should prioritize its primary healthcare to succeed in implementing the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.
Primary healthcare is the initial point of contact for individuals, families, and communities into the healthcare system. Strengthening primary care level plays a crucial role in progressively realizing universal healthcare. This is consistent with the global consensus that having a strong primary care system is necessary to accelerate universal healthcare.
In fact, this might be the answer we are looking for to all our problems related to the delivery of basic health services. After all, the UHC Act or Republic Act 11223 stipulates that “Filipinos are guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health care goods and services, and protected against financial risk.” The law also provides a “planned paradigm shift to primary care, which is the core and center of all health reforms under the UHC”.
The ongoing pandemic has made us realize there are so many things to improve in our public health infrastructure. At the very least, there must be a review of the delivery of the country’s primary healthcare service. There’s an observation that current schemes have resulted in the fragmented delivery of services down to the local level. There’s a suggestion to make it holistic in line with our UHC’s definition of primary care: (“Primary care refers to initial-contact, accessible, continuous, comprehensive and coordinated care that is accessible at the time of need including a range of services for all presenting conditions, and the ability to coordinate referrals to other health care providers in the health care delivery system, when necessary.”)
To put it simply, primary care workers should know how to manage the spectrum of diseases they encounter in our primary care facilities. They must be knowledgeable; and primary care facilities must be well-equipped. Do they have the necessary infrastructure, health technology, and supplies? But wait, do we even have enough primary care workers to attend to our sick brethren?
Strengthening the delivery of basic health services is key to keeping our people healthy and protected, most especially in this time of pandemic.
A country will never progress if it citizens are sickly.
