BAGUIO CITY, March 25 (PIA) – -The City Government of Baguio through the City Health Office and the public and private hospitals and health care providers in the city further strengthened their harmonious relationship and cooperation for the full implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) law.
The City HSO and the health care stakeholders in Baguio launched last March 19 the Baguio City Health Care Providers Network (BCHCPN) with oath and signing of commitment with the Department of Health (DOH – CAR), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth – CAR), the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Sacred Heart Hospital of Saint Louis University, Pines Doctor Hospital, Notre Dame De Chartes Hospital, Baguio Medical Center and the Baguio–Benguet Medical Society.
The Health Care Provider Network is a component of the UHC law that refers to a group of primary to tertiary care providers, whether public or private, offering people-centered and comprehensive care in an integrated and coordinated manner with the primary care provider acting as the navigator and coordinator of health care within the network.
With UHC, all Filipinos are guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health care goods and services, and protected against financial risk. The UHC helps ensure every Filipino is healthy, protected from health hazards and risks, and has access to affordable, quality, and readily available health service that is suitable to their needs.
During the launching, BGHMC Hospital Director Ricardo Ruñez, representing the health care providers in Baguio City, affirmed their commitment for inter–operations and strengthening of linkages among network members in line with the objectives of the UHC law.
With BGHMC as the designated APEX hospital in Baguio City, Ruñez also assured their commitment to assume the role as the acting city hospital.
DOH–CAR Assistant Regional Director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan lauded Baguio City and all of its health partners, who despite the heavy task and duties brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, have taken time to show their support and commitment to the organization of the HCPN.
“As we are all aware of, Republic Act 11233 or the UHC Act that was signed into law by the President on February 20, 2019 aims to institutionalize systems and policies that would ensure universal health care and universal health coverage for all Filipinos with focus on strengthening primary health care as the foundation of the local health system”, Pangilinan said.
“It is with no doubt that despite the pandemic we continue to battle, we have proven that we are all in this, thus all your coordinated and collaborative efforts are very well appreciated and recognized by the DOH – CAR and by all the people of Baguio City whom we all serve”, she stressed.**JDP/CCD-PIA CAR
