According to the World Health Organization, Universal Health Care (UHC) or Universal Health Coverage means that everyone has access to the health services they need, when and where they need them, without having to suffer financial hardship. This includes the full range of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care.
Currently, at least half of the people in the world do not receive the health services that they need. About 100 million people are pushed into extreme poverty each year because of out-of-pocket spending on health.
The signing of the Universal Health Care Act back in February 2019 is supposed to be the first step in realizing this very elusive goal here in our country. But where are we in its implementation?
It would have been a big help to our fellow Filipinos if all the processes and systems to implement the law had been in place before the COVID-19 pandemic happened.
This afternoon we will get updates on where we are in its implementation and what sort of reforms are needed. It will be interesting to listen to how Bataan, through the Bataan General Hospital, has been able to provide for the medical needs of its residents.
I would like to invite you all to take the time to listen to our speakers so that you will all know what we can expect from the Universal Health Care Law, a law that will hopefully improve our healthcare system.
T. Anthony C. Cabangon
T. Anthony C. Cabangon is the publisher of Philippines Graphic, Cook Magazine, and the BusinessMirror.
