Latest news with #UniversalHealthCare
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
60% of health sub-centres can't deal with basic issues: Survey
NEW DELHI: How well-equipped are India's sub-centres (SCs) - the state's support system that people facing health issues first reach out to - especially those in rural India, to manage basic medical conditions such as hypertension, or high blood pressure, and diabetes? A survey carried out for the purpose in 19 districts of seven states by a team of researchers from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and World Health Organisation (WHO), among others, did not paint a very flattering picture. According to the survey results published in the latest issue of Indian Journal of Medical Research (IJMR), only about 4 in 10 sub-centres are in a position to treat hypertension and diabetes, with several of the rest not even having basic medicines to manage the conditions. Out of 105 SCs assessed, nearly one-third had stock-outs of tablet metformin (anti-diabetes medication), and nearly half (45%) reported stock-outs of tablet amlodipine, used to manage high blood pressure. The median duration of stock-outs for the medicines ranged from one to seven months. "These medicines were better available at govt medical colleges compared to any other levels of public health facilities," the IJMR report stated. The survey also revealed a shortage of specialists at the Community Health Centre (CHC) level - this was also highlighted in the rural health statistics report of 2020-21, which showed a shortfall of physicians (82%) and surgeons (83%) at CHCs. "(The) ICMR-India Diabetes Study (ICMR-INDIAB) reports evidence of a non-communicable diseases epidemic spreading to rural areas in India in addition to the urban areas due to changes in lifestyle. Therefore, improving the preparedness of SCs will further enhance the primary care services closer to the homes of the people," the researchers pointed out in the study. They added: "Govt of India has already accelerated its efforts towards strengthening Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) for achieving Universal Health Care by committing resources and efforts through the Prime Minister's flagship Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness programme". India has the second highest number of adults (20-79 yrs) with diabetes in the world, and approximately 3% of the total deaths in India in 2019 were attributed to the disease. The number of people suffering from hypertension is also on the rise. Experts say easy access to medicines to manage the two conditions at early stages can help prevent serious complications and slash the risk of negative individual, social and economic outcomes.
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
Medical advocacy groups call on gov't to suspend UHC amendments
A group of medical professionals have called on the government to defer the passage of proposed amendments to the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act and not to lower premium PhilHealth contributions. In a press conference at Quezon City on Thursday, former Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Undersecretary Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III noted that the UHC law has not yet been fully implemented, and that some funds from sin tax collection that have not yet been fully disbursed. 'Ang UHC ay isang batas na binuo sa loob ng 18 taon, halos 20 taon, at pumasa lang noong 2019… Halos hindi na-implement hanggang 2022 ang mga saligang provision ng UHC dahil sa COVID crisis. Ang plano ng DOH at PhilHealth, mag-implement sa ilang pilot area pero sa ngayon wala pang 6 lugar sa Pilipinas ang nag-i-implement ng bahagi ng UHC, so makikita natin hindi pa napapatupad ang batas at hindi pa natin nakikita ang potential,' he shared. (The UHC is a law that was created within 18 years, almost 20 years, and was passed only on 2019… The provisions of UHC was barely implemented until 2022 because of the COVID crisis. The plan of DOH and PhilHealth was to implement in several pilot areas, but until now less than 6 areas of the Philippines have implemented part of the UHC, so you can see that the law has not yet been implemented and we haven't yet seen it's potential.) 'Itong mga nawawalang pondong ito ang issue ngayon. Saan nila nilagay itong perang ito at bakit hindi inilaan sa kailangan na pondo ng PhilHealth?' he added. (These lost funds is the current issue. Where did they place this money and why is it not being allotted for the funds needed by PhilHealth?) Perez slammed the proposal to lower the contributions received by PhilHealth, noting that such move would eventually lead to bankruptcy by 2026. 'Kung ano-ano hadlang ang nangyayari… Lahat, ginigipit ang pondong pumapasok sa PhilHealth. Ang mahalaga rito, kung kulang ang pondo ng PhilHealth, hindi nila mabibigay ang karampatang benepisyo para sa mahirap… So magiging bankrupt na siya talaga o kulang ang pondo talaga para magtuloy-tuloy ang serbisyo,' he said. (There are so many obstacles that have been happening… All of these hold back funds for PhilHealth. What is important here is that if there PhillHealth lack funds, they can not provide the necessary services for the poor… So it will just be bankrupt or lacking in funds to keep the services going.) Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) President Annie Geron echoed Perez's sentiments, stating that the bicameral meetings on the amendments for UHC happened without transparency. Geron noted that the amendments would not benefit the people who actually need the provisions of the law and further exploit medical workers. 'This is without adequate assessment of the law's implementation and without inclusive and meaningful dialogue with workers and other stakeholders. Bakit ba minamadali?... Hindi pa nga nag-de-decision yung Korte Suprema. Bakit hindi maantay yung desisyon sa illegal transfer?' she questioned. (This is without adequate assessment of the law's implementation and without inclusive and meaningful dialogue with workers and other stakeholders. Why exactly is it being rushed?... The Supreme Court hasn't issued a decision yet. Why can't they wait for the decision on the illegal transfer?) She further noted that lowering contributions and removing funds from PhilHealth would mean that workers would have to shoulder costs of the UHC as the primary contributors. 'Inabandona ng gobyerno yung kaniyang obligasyon na maglagay ng pondo para makapagabot ng serbisyo. Anong ibig sabihin niyan sa manggagawa na tulad natin? Tayo magdadala, magpopondo, babalikatin natin, dahil tayo po yung binabawasan ng kontribusyon buwan buwan… Pag zi-nero yung budget, ipinasa satin yung gastusin ng UHC dahil nga di nilagyan ng gobyerno,' she said. (The government has abandoned their obligation to place funds to provide service. What does it mean for workers like us? We will be the ones to carry it, fund it, shoulder it, because we are the ones paying monthly contributions… If the budget is zero, the responsibility of funding the UHC becomes ours because the government didn't fund it.) Philippine Society of Critical Care Medicine Maricar Limpin said the new amendments will only punish the middle and lower class with bigger fees and costs, especially with the working class paying for the contributions. Likhaan Center for Women's Health Executive Director Junice Melgar called on the Senate and Congress to prioritize fair and inclusive reforms that have been thoroughly discussed. The groups hoped for a better outcome in the coming bicameral meetings on the amendments scheduled on June 9 and 10, adding that further protest movements may take place around the Congress and Senate buildings. 'Sana making sila sa panahon na ito, bago mag-Monday, para marinig nila yung boses ng mga manggagawa, mga doctor, mga komunidad na mga sumusuporta talaga sa UHC… Sana yung nakita [na] pangako ng UHC ay patuloy pa rin sundin sa pamamagitan ng buong implementation,' Perez said. (I hope they listen this time, before Monday, so that they can hear the voices of the workers, doctors, and communities that support the UHC… I hope they see the promises of the UHC and continue this through a full implementation.) — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
DOH: BUCAS centers have served almost 860,000 patients as of June 2025
DOH opens a Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) Center in Rizal, Nueva Ecija on October 16, 2024. Photo: Department of Health The Bagong Urgent Care Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) Centers of the Department of Health (DOH) have assisted nearly 860,000 patients as of June 2025, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said. In a Palace press briefing on Thursday, Herbosa said that all 51 BUCAS centers nationwide continue to serve Filipinos by offering additional health services to avoid longer lines at DOH hospitals. 'Patunay po ito na mas mabilis na naihatid ng ating mga kababayan ang mga serbisyong medikal dahil noong March 2024 lang po tayo nagsimula… Ngayon, 26 na po ang operational sa Luzon, habang 8 sa Visayas at 17 sa Mindanao,' he shared. (This proves that medical services are being immediately provided to Filipinos, since we only started in March 2024… Now, there are 26 operational in Luzon, while 8 are in Visayas and 17 are in Mindanao.) The first BUCAS Center was opened in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga in March 6, 2024, in accordance with the Regional Specialty Centers Act to 'institutionalize the establishment of specialty and healthcare centers across the country.' 'May libreng gamot din po kaming binibigay sa BUCAS kagaya ng maintenance para sa high blood at diabetes. Mayroon din po kaming prenatal check-up para sa mga buntis, libreng bakuna at anti-rabies shot para sa mga nakagat ng hayop,' Herbosa said. (There is also free medicine being given in BUCAS, such as maintenance for high blood and diabetes. There are also prenatal check-ups for pregnant women, free vaccinations and anti-rabies shots for those bitten by animals.) 'Ang BUCAS ay bahagi ng layunin ng DOH na mas maramdaman ng mga kababayan natin ang Universal Health Care dahil ang bilin po ng Presidente ay patas na access at komprehensibong serbisyong pangkalusugan ang nabibigay sa iba't ibang parte ng bansa,' he added. (BUCAS is part of the DOH's advocacy to further bring Universal Health Care to Filipinos because the President has ordered equal access and comprehensive health services to be given to different parts of the country.) — BM, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
02-06-2025
- Health
- Filipino Times
PhilHealth town hall meeting empowers OFWs with essential healthcare updates
A town hall meeting on PhilHealth services and updates took place on May 30, 2025, at the Sentro Rizal, Philippine Embassy, Manama, offering essential information to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and members of the Filipino community. The event highlighted the government's dedication to supporting its citizens abroad by keeping them informed about their healthcare benefits. It was attended by Her Excellency Anne Jalando-on Louis, Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain, along with embassy officials, including Administrative Officer, Mr. Virgilio Pasive Jr., and Ms. Cellia V. Cabadonga, Officer-in-Charge of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO). Her Excellency Anne Jalando-on Louis, Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain In her address, Ambassador Louis thanked all the guests, especially the Filipino community members, for showing up, even on a Friday, which is usually a day off for many. Under the PhilHealth presentation topic, she emphasized the value of information sharing. She asked the audience to use the facts they gained from the session and relay them to their respective communities. This appeal helped to highlight the ripple effect of awareness, hoping that by sharing the information, more people would be enabled to access PhilHealth effectively and appeal for their health care needs. Realizing the temporary nature of overseas employment, Ambassador Louis advised OFWs to regularly keep themselves enrolled in OWWA, PhilHealth, SSS, and Pag-IBIG. Foreign employment may have the advantage of being able to earn immediately, but it is also essential to spend on saving for the future. Active participation in these top-priority Philippine institutions provides OFWs with access to vital benefits. The visiting delegation from the Philippines was led by Mr. Gregorio C. Rulloda, PhilHealth Vice President for Mindanao. He provided the attendees with a comprehensive overview of the full spectrum of health insurance benefits available to members and their beneficiaries, with a strong emphasis on the reforms introduced under the historic Universal Health Care (UHC) Law (Republic Act No. 11223). The session clearly demonstrated how UHC provides Filipinos with access to basic health care services without the burden of cost. The Philhealth team includes Anshari M. Mangondato, Planning Officer, Michael N. Tomas, Social Insurance Assistant, and Roberto B. Cuison, Administrative Services Assistant. Following the presentation, an open forum was a precious chance for the participants to interact with PhilHealth representatives directly. One of the attendees, Bryan Domingo, an OFW who works at Power Up, had the opportunity to raise questions. He expressed his concerns and shared his experience as a member of the health insurance program. The PhilHealth delegation visited Bahrain from May 25 to May 30 as part of an overseas service mission designed to address a range of inquiries from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the area. During their visit, the team interacted with the Filipino population to offer valuable information regarding health insurance benefits and services to ensure that OFWs could obtain the required assistance for their health issues. The town hall session proved to be successful, serving as an effective platform for interaction between government officials and Filipino foreign workers. It supports the Philippine government's efforts in disseminating adequate information and offering assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Among the organizations represented during the discussion were Good Cause Bahrain, led by Antonette Guese Avila; Pinay Ikaw Na (PIN), headed by its president Dinah Sta. Ana, LBC Express Bahrain, represented by Dhela Solidad; Alpha Kappa Rho International Humanitarian Service Fraternity and Sorority – Juffair Chapter; and the Filipino Writers' Circle (Filwrite) president, Cecil Ancheta. The program was presided over by Ms. Lucia Ramirez, Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Officer. -Cecil Ancheta
