#UniversalHealth Breakout Session
The #UniversalHealth Conference was held at the Seminar Room 507 of the Yuchengco Hall and was attended by around 30 participants from various stakeholders such as students, faculty members, representatives from the local government units/barangays, people’s organizations, national government agencies, etc.
The workshop started with an opening prayer and the singing of the national anthem. Miss Marietta Guanzon, COSCA Program Manager, facilitated the two-hour session. She also showed an audio-visual presentation (AVP) of the sustainable development goals at the onset of the session to give the participants a brief overview on the 17 goals.
The first session, “SDGs in the Philippines: All for Health towards Health for All” was presented by Ms. Frances Rose Elgo-Mamaril the Health Planning Division Chief, Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau, of the Department of Health (DOH). At the onset, Mamaril discussed the achievements and the challenges encountered in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) from 2000-2015. She particularly zeroed in on Goals 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7 which focused on health.
Mamaril emphasized that the following health-related areas of the MDG needs to be given attention as these were not achieved within the given targets: (i) lowering the proportion of underweight children under five; (ii) infant mortality rate; (iii) maternal mortality ratio, births attended by SHP and contraceptive prevalence rate; and (iv) HIV prevalence.
Mamaril proceeded by discussing SDG No. 3 (Good health and well-being) and presented various indicators like achieving universal health coverage, reduction of child and maternal mortality rate, reduction of deaths from hazardous substance abuse and pollution; ensure universal access to RH services, among others.
She the elaborated the Duterte Health Agenda wherein the Filipino families as rights-bearers are entitled to:
While the government as duty bearer is committed to:
She ended by quoting Warren Buffet’s “Someone sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree long time ago.”
The workshop started with an opening prayer and the singing of the national anthem. Miss Marietta Guanzon, COSCA Program Manager, facilitated the two-hour session. She also showed an audio-visual presentation (AVP) of the sustainable development goals at the onset of the session to give the participants a brief overview on the 17 goals.
The first session, “SDGs in the Philippines: All for Health towards Health for All” was presented by Ms. Frances Rose Elgo-Mamaril the Health Planning Division Chief, Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau, of the Department of Health (DOH). At the onset, Mamaril discussed the achievements and the challenges encountered in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) from 2000-2015. She particularly zeroed in on Goals 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7 which focused on health.
Mamaril emphasized that the following health-related areas of the MDG needs to be given attention as these were not achieved within the given targets: (i) lowering the proportion of underweight children under five; (ii) infant mortality rate; (iii) maternal mortality ratio, births attended by SHP and contraceptive prevalence rate; and (iv) HIV prevalence.
Mamaril proceeded by discussing SDG No. 3 (Good health and well-being) and presented various indicators like achieving universal health coverage, reduction of child and maternal mortality rate, reduction of deaths from hazardous substance abuse and pollution; ensure universal access to RH services, among others.
She the elaborated the Duterte Health Agenda wherein the Filipino families as rights-bearers are entitled to:
- Comprehensive range of services that protect everyone at all ages and all stages;
- Receive coordinated, appropriate, quality and respectful care and
- Financial freedom when utilizing health care services.
While the government as duty bearer is committed to:
- Guarantee services that provide care for “all life stages and address the triple burden of diseases”;
- Ensure these services are accessible in functional service delivery network; and
- Sustainably finance these services through Universal Health Insurance.
She ended by quoting Warren Buffet’s “Someone sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree long time ago.”
The second speaker, Dr. Benjamin Lane, was introduced as the current Coordinator for Health Systems and Services Team at the World Health Organization (WHO) Philippine Country Office. At the start, he said that it is good that Mamaril presented first in the session as she comprehensively discussed the transition from the MDGs to the SDGs, as well as its achieved targets and the challenges encountered.
In his discussion, Dr. Lane pointed out that in achieving the SDGs, health is seen as an important prerequisite for development and security. He explained that health can be found and is embedded throughout the SDGs since 46 indicators out of the 169 targets are associated with health. Thus, it is imperative to understand the social determinants of health and it must be given much consideration to achieve the targets set by member states.
More specifically, SDG No. 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) intends to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Nonetheless, he mentioned that there are factors that obstruct the smooth implementation of the programs towards the attainment of the said goal. One of these is the language differences which became a major factor that affected efficient health service delivery especially at the rural areas. For instance, during Typhoon Yolanda days, foreign and local medical volunteers and professionals need time to speak and comprehend local dialect which impedes their quick and efficient response.
Likewise, he elaborated that domestic violence and disaster episodes became a key threat in the public health system because trauma affects the day-to-day functioning of survivors and the community in general.
To fulfil the goal of universal health coverage, the Duterte Health Agenda – “Health for All and All for Health” is dedicated to do the following:
He clarified that in addressing the triple burden of diseases, it is crucial to understand the person in a rapidly changing environment. Nowadays, depression has become a huge concern in society since there are various factors attributed to it.
Moreover, local government units particularly barangays have a crucial role in ensuring accessibility of services. Stakeholders should also treat people with respect. Lastly, the coverage, accessibility and affordability of universal health insurance should be expanded. This means that “if you are poor everything (health services) has been paid for”, Dr. Lane elucidated.
In his discussion, Dr. Lane pointed out that in achieving the SDGs, health is seen as an important prerequisite for development and security. He explained that health can be found and is embedded throughout the SDGs since 46 indicators out of the 169 targets are associated with health. Thus, it is imperative to understand the social determinants of health and it must be given much consideration to achieve the targets set by member states.
More specifically, SDG No. 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) intends to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Nonetheless, he mentioned that there are factors that obstruct the smooth implementation of the programs towards the attainment of the said goal. One of these is the language differences which became a major factor that affected efficient health service delivery especially at the rural areas. For instance, during Typhoon Yolanda days, foreign and local medical volunteers and professionals need time to speak and comprehend local dialect which impedes their quick and efficient response.
Likewise, he elaborated that domestic violence and disaster episodes became a key threat in the public health system because trauma affects the day-to-day functioning of survivors and the community in general.
To fulfil the goal of universal health coverage, the Duterte Health Agenda – “Health for All and All for Health” is dedicated to do the following:
- Guarantee services that provide care for “all life stages and address the triple burden of diseases;
- Ensure these services are accessible in functional service delivery network; and
- Sustainably finance these services through Universal Health Insurance.
He clarified that in addressing the triple burden of diseases, it is crucial to understand the person in a rapidly changing environment. Nowadays, depression has become a huge concern in society since there are various factors attributed to it.
Moreover, local government units particularly barangays have a crucial role in ensuring accessibility of services. Stakeholders should also treat people with respect. Lastly, the coverage, accessibility and affordability of universal health insurance should be expanded. This means that “if you are poor everything (health services) has been paid for”, Dr. Lane elucidated.
Conference Presentation
DOH Presentation on Universal Health
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WHO's Presentation on the SDGs and Health
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Open Forum
Question (CSB student): How can the students contribute in the attainment of the SDGs particularly on good health and well-being?
Ans. (Dr. Lane, WHO): The role of the students and the youth are very important. For instance, young people should voluntarily submit themselves for HIV testing. “Tell your friends and discuss about HIV.” More so, students and youth must contribute in ensuring a clean and healthy community/environment.
Question (Dr. Carzano, Don Bosco-Calauan): Where can we ask for more health services to meet the needs of the communities we served? To whom should we approach to augment our interventions because there is really a need for increase in terms of services?
Ans. (Miss Mamaril, DOH): The first step is you need to link with the Local Chief Executive and/or the Municipal/City Health Office since health services are now devolved at the LGUs. Then, you have to engage in the formulation of the Province-wide investment plan since this will be utilized as the basis for the Regional Offices’ crafting of proposals. Partnership in terms of accessibility in the rural areas is very important to ensure that medical needs of the people are properly addressed. Likewise, it is appropriate to approach the right agency and people. Moreover, you may use the 8888 24-hour Hotline and the DOH website for appropriate action to your inquiries.
Question (Miss Secades, TB Task Force Caloocan City): Our organization has long been working in the ground and has lobbied for fund augmentation at the LGU-Caloocan to sustain our initiatives. Hence, a significant increase in the TB cases detection rate. In relation to this, how can the WHO and DOH helps in the sustainability of our initiatives in the community particularly with our community volunteers?
Ans. (Miss Mamaril, DOH): The DOH has implemented the National TB Program and provides various capacity building activities in the community through its Regional Offices and the LGUs. Likewise, to sustain your initiatives you need to participate in the planning and monitoring process since CSOs are part of this venture. Nonetheless, the Department is still on the process of formulating the guidelines on the accreditation of these organizations.
Question (Barangay Leader, District V, Manila): Nowadays, it seems that the youth became complacent enough and some were reluctant to join activities to address environmental issues and reproductive health concerns. As local leaders, how can we help the young people to address such concerns?
Ans. (Miss Mamaril, DOH and Dr. Lane, WHO): There is a need to intensify strategies and mechanisms about education for a clean environment (e.g. solid waste management) and reproductive health. Moreover, integration of family planning and RH services in the curriculum is very much necessary.
Question (Student): How can we ensure the localization of SDGs at indigenous peoples’ communities?
Ans. (Miss Mamaril, DOH) : There are a lot of challenges faced in terms of health service delivery in these communities because of certain and distinct cultures and traditions and health practices; thus, the Department has created innovative projects and certain health service models such as “mid-way birthing homes” with the presence of indigenous health attendants following traditional methods and supervised by a professionally trained medical practitioners.
Ans. (Dr. Lane, WHO): The role of the students and the youth are very important. For instance, young people should voluntarily submit themselves for HIV testing. “Tell your friends and discuss about HIV.” More so, students and youth must contribute in ensuring a clean and healthy community/environment.
Question (Dr. Carzano, Don Bosco-Calauan): Where can we ask for more health services to meet the needs of the communities we served? To whom should we approach to augment our interventions because there is really a need for increase in terms of services?
Ans. (Miss Mamaril, DOH): The first step is you need to link with the Local Chief Executive and/or the Municipal/City Health Office since health services are now devolved at the LGUs. Then, you have to engage in the formulation of the Province-wide investment plan since this will be utilized as the basis for the Regional Offices’ crafting of proposals. Partnership in terms of accessibility in the rural areas is very important to ensure that medical needs of the people are properly addressed. Likewise, it is appropriate to approach the right agency and people. Moreover, you may use the 8888 24-hour Hotline and the DOH website for appropriate action to your inquiries.
Question (Miss Secades, TB Task Force Caloocan City): Our organization has long been working in the ground and has lobbied for fund augmentation at the LGU-Caloocan to sustain our initiatives. Hence, a significant increase in the TB cases detection rate. In relation to this, how can the WHO and DOH helps in the sustainability of our initiatives in the community particularly with our community volunteers?
Ans. (Miss Mamaril, DOH): The DOH has implemented the National TB Program and provides various capacity building activities in the community through its Regional Offices and the LGUs. Likewise, to sustain your initiatives you need to participate in the planning and monitoring process since CSOs are part of this venture. Nonetheless, the Department is still on the process of formulating the guidelines on the accreditation of these organizations.
Question (Barangay Leader, District V, Manila): Nowadays, it seems that the youth became complacent enough and some were reluctant to join activities to address environmental issues and reproductive health concerns. As local leaders, how can we help the young people to address such concerns?
Ans. (Miss Mamaril, DOH and Dr. Lane, WHO): There is a need to intensify strategies and mechanisms about education for a clean environment (e.g. solid waste management) and reproductive health. Moreover, integration of family planning and RH services in the curriculum is very much necessary.
Question (Student): How can we ensure the localization of SDGs at indigenous peoples’ communities?
Ans. (Miss Mamaril, DOH) : There are a lot of challenges faced in terms of health service delivery in these communities because of certain and distinct cultures and traditions and health practices; thus, the Department has created innovative projects and certain health service models such as “mid-way birthing homes” with the presence of indigenous health attendants following traditional methods and supervised by a professionally trained medical practitioners.
Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, De La Salle University -Manila
2401 Taft Avenue, 0922 Manila, Philippines
Telefax: (632) 523-4143
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, De La Salle University -Manila
2401 Taft Avenue, 0922 Manila, Philippines
Telefax: (632) 523-4143