LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA - Activities of the Secretary's Cup continue across various stakeholders. Following the roundable discussion on health governance held at the Diamond Hotel, a "town hall meeting"-style panel discussion with local government executives was held at the Local Government Academy, College of Public Affairs here at the University of the Philippines Los Banos on August 23, 2012.
The panelists in the discussion were former Health Secretary Dr. Alberto Romualdez, Jr., National Scientist Dr. Ernesto Domingo, Dr. Ramon Paterno of the Universal Health Care Study Group, and ULAP (Union of League of Authorities of the Philippines) executive director Sonia Lorenzo, who was also a three-term mayor of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija and a multi-awarded advocate of good governance.
To jumpstart the discussion, video clips depicting health inequities and gaps in referral systems were shown, followed by a reaction facilitated by Dr. Paterno. He contrasted that Philippine health care system with that of the United Kingdom, whose National Health Service provide free health care to everyone at the point of service.
Dr. Domingo then talked about the context of Universal Health Care, framing it as the answer to glaring inequities on health, both globally and locally. He concluded: "Is achieving UHC easy to do? It is not. Look at England, it took them 45 years...and the record holder is Germany, who has a 105-year old system, but still getting there." Nevertheless, he stressed that UHC is a very important goal of every nation.
Meanwhile, Dr. Romualdez emphasized the role of the public, saying: "The public must be informed and empowered in a UHC scheme, and this is also the reason why education is important." He identifies two challenges in governance: First, there are is no consensus about what equity in health really means. Second, 'top-down' decision-making mode leaves no room for participative governance.
Finally, former Mayor Sonia Lorenzo shared her inspiring experiences and success stories in local government as three-term chief executive of the municipality of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. When she became mayor, the health situation was dire: little budget, "dole-out" mentality, and health centers so dilapidated that "will you make sick". However, through a "participation roadmap" which involved various stakeholders, health became a priority in her town, which ultimately led to better health outcomes. "Health is an investment, and the returns are plenty," she says, concluding, "You can never lose when you invest in health."
A very animated open forum ensued, with mayors from all over the Philippines sharing their experiences with PhilHealth and health reforms.
