Unilab Foundation, ULAP join forces to accelerate the local implementation of universal healthcare
The Unilab Foundation, through its research and policy arm the Unilab Center for Health Policy (UCHP), is partnering with the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) to jointly identify and address obstacles to the effective and accelerated implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act at the local level.
Formalized through the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), the partnership will address the various policies, practices, capacities, and programs that hinder the capacity of local government units (LGUs) to implement UHC reforms. This is in line with the mandate to empower LGUs so that the devolution of health care delivery to the national government does not lead to inconsistent use of health services in different areas.
UCHP and ULAP will also pilot programs in selected LGUs to demonstrate the practical implementation of UHC at the local level, with the aim of using lessons learned from the ground up to inform national policy, and replicating good practices in many areas.
“[This MoU] it reflects our shared understanding that Universal Health Care is ultimately achieved when governance meets local performance, and that this cannot be done by government alone. We need the support of all stakeholders,” said ULAP National President and Quirino Governor Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua.
“Many of the challenges we face today are structural and systemic. There is no single institution that can deal with problems in isolation. This is why cooperation is important. We hope that this relationship will continue to grow, growing from policy and programs, strengthening deep cooperation and models of service delivery, innovation, and efforts that deliberately reach the unreached and neglected Filipinos, especially in additional health care communities where they add access to weak health.
On the other hand, the Executive Director of Unilab Foundation Atty. Jose Maria Ochave said that the role of UCHP is to work with government leaders to help them realize their vision for their partners.
“Our role is to show that certain things can work and be achieved. But they can’t really move the needle is the government. The ones who can move the needle the most in the coming years will be the local government because that’s where governance is most felt by the people,” he said.
UCHP is a program of the Unilab Foundation that empowers LGUs to become self-reliant and effective implementers of UHC by supporting policy development, enabling evidence-based decision-making, and providing comprehensive technical assistance that strengthens local performance.
Recently, UCHP conducted a study that found that a large portion of the local health budget goes to staff salaries, leaving little money for actual health programs and services. This study was recommended by the Department of Budget and Management as an important tool in its campaign to increase local resources.
UCHP also recently partnered with the local government of Ormoc City to develop and implement a UHC-compliant framework for providing primary care assistance to geographically remote and disadvantaged communities.
