TARLAQUEÑOS now will have an access to a higher quality and affordable health care services as the Provincial Government of Tarlac in partnership with the Department of Health [DoH] and the Philippine Health Insurance [PhilHealth] launched the Universal Health Care [UHC] at the Jose V. Yap Sports and Recreational Complex, San Jose, January 16.
The launching of UHC in Tarlac province is in fulfillmentof RA No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act which aimedto provide equal access to quality health services and facilities.
The launching, which was attended by Regional DoHDirector Cesar Cassion, Tarlac second district Representative Victor Yap, the different mayors of the province, board members, provincial government doctors, representatives from the DoH and PhilHealth and barangay health workers.
In Governor Susan Yap’s message, she vowed full support to the implementation of UHC.
“We at the PGT will ensure that all our rural health units are at par. We will be strengthening the primary health care by improving our barangay health stations,” the governor said. She added that the objective is to “better our health services, fill in the gaps—in terms of budget allocation, human resources—and improve service delivery. We are going to put higher standards in our health services.”
Cesar Cassion, Regional director DOH cited the importance of concerted effort to achieve the goal.
PhilHealth representatives laid down the guidelines on how medical services will be made available for free under UHC policy.
Under the law, each Filipino will be assigned to a primary care provider who shall be the first contact of health care.
Primary care providers will deliver free essential health services and will guide patients through different health care facilities.
All Filipinos will also be automatic members of PhilHealthas direct or indirect contributors and shall be eligible to No Balance Billing once admitted to basic or ward accommodations in hospitals.
