La Union Leads UHC Rollout in the Region; Gov. Rafy Underscores PROBINSYAnihan for Health
By: Justin Paul D. Marbella, PIO | Photos By: PIO | Date: September 7, 2023
The Province of La Union has been noted as the leading province in Region 1 in the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, and Governor Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David said this was possible through the strong collaboration and synergy in health governance in the province.
In the La Union UHC Summit on September 7, 2023 in San Fernando City, La Union, the Department of Health (DOH) reported that among the four provinces in the region, La Union is way ahead in the UHC law localization.
“La Union takes lead in the three Levels of Progress in UHC Implementation. In Level 1 (Preparatory), LU has achieved 100%; Level 2 (Organizational) is 69% which is at par with the guiding rate for the third quarter; and for Level 3 (Functional), only La Union has achieved 50% accomplishment,” Dr. Ivy Ico, DOH Provincial Health Team Leader, reported.
The performance rates signify the La Union’s great strides in the establishment and strengthening of local health systems, as provided for by UHC law.
“This accomplishment is reflective of our La Union PROBINSYAnihan, not only among health care workers, but among each and every Kaprobinsiaan who puts health truly a priority,” said Gov. Ortega-David, who is also the chair of the Provincial Health Board (PHB). The PHB convened for a meeting during the summit.
DOH Assistant Secretary Atty. Charade B. Mercado-Grande, who hails from La Union, served as Guest of Honor and Speaker. She commended La Union’s streamlined efforts in upholding UHC Law. “Its full implementation entails whole-of-government, whole-of-society, and whole-of-nation approach; and La Union is well-aligned with its thrust on PROBINSYAnihan,” said Asec. Grande.
The summit likewise provided health key players and stakeholders with relevant updates, namely: PHB-LU Semi Annual Accomplishment Report and LU Health Care Provider Network (LU-HCPN) by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Eduardo Posadas; UHC Law Updates by Dr. Ico; Local Health Boards (LHB) Roles and Functions by Atty. Verselie Limos, PHO legal consultant; PhilHealth Programs by Chief Social Insurance Officer Raymund O. Maningding.
To further strengthen and expedite the UHC law implementation in the province, two Memoranda of Agreement were also signed as part of the summit. The Provincial Government of LU entered into a MOA with the PHAPCares, Inc. and the local government units of San Juan and Bauang for the pilot run of the “Sustainable Healthcare and Social Development” project. The second MOA was between PGLU and the LGU-members of the LU-HCPN, which seeks to establish seamless LGU-to-LGU coordination on health programs implementation.
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