Health Department Urges Next Administration to Prioritize Universal Health Care Act

On Tuesday, Health Undersecretary Maria Vergerie urged the coming administration to prioritize the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, particularly as the country continues to struggle amidst the prolonged global pandemic. “We would be providing our soon-to-be president, first the universal health care. Its strategies and implementation goals. Yun po ang ibibigay natin sa kanya (That is what we will give him),” said the health official.

The UHC Act, which ensures equal access to quality and affordable healthcare, was earlier signed into law by current President Rodrigo Duterte in February 2019. As part of the legislation, all Filipino citizens are automatically enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program. Vergerie noted that additional strategies will be endorsed by the Department of Health (DOH).

“So, first of all there is our Center for Disease Control (CDC) bill that is being passed in the Congress and Senate, where the DOH can be restructured so that we have an institution we can lean on when it comes to pandemics, infectious diseases, research, data, and surveillance in our country,” she elaborated.

“Secondly, we support our Vaccine Institute of the Philippines. Third, we also have a National Health Security act for us to be more resilient during these times that we are having a crisis in our country. These are what we will be proposing to our next administration.” Following the voting held on Monday, former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte are both in the lead for the presidential and vice-presidential races based on the partial and unofficial count.

Source: GMA News