Improvement of health systems also LGUs role: DOH

FILE: Dr. Eduardo Janairo (2nd from left), Regional Director of Department of Health-Mimaropa, and Marinduque Gov. Carmencita Reyes (2nd from right) lead the ceremonial ribbon cutting on the launching of the Carbon Neutral Garden and Oxygen Park at Marinduque State College, Boach on Oct. 3, 2017. With them are Imelda Diaz (left) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Marinduque and Dr. Merian Catajay-Mani (right) of MSC. (PNA photo by Ben Briones)/LOR

MANILA — Improvement of local health systems through resolution of common health inequities is not the sole responsibility of Department of Health (DOH), an official of the agency said.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), DOH Calabarzon Director Eduardo Janairo said their region is beset with numerous health problems that can be solved with the combined efforts of health workers, health agencies and local government officials.

“Nandiyan ang malnutrition, HIV, tuberculosis at teenage pregnancy iyun ang pinaka grabe na nag-increase ang region lalo na sa Quezon na isang island, so may problem sa morals na kailangan natin bigyan focus (There is malnutrition, HIV, tuberculosis and teenage pregnancy that is increasing in the region of Quezon which is an island, so it means there’s a problem about morals which must be given focus),” he said.

Janairo added that DOH has existing programs designed to address such health issues but most local government officials in their region don’t adopt them thinking they’re not part of their leadership responsibilities.

On Friday, Janairo together with Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Calabarzon Director Manuel Gotis, PhilHealth Calabarzon Vice President Elizabeth Fernandez, University of the Philippines Manila-College of Public Health Dean Romeo Quizon and Development Academy of the Philippines president Engelbert Caronan signed a joint regional memorandum circular which mandates the provision of assistance to local government officials in addressing health access, utilization, coverage and equity issues in their respective areas.

“Sinama namin ang DILG para maraming local government units ang sumama para makita nila ang importansya, mas may mandate, lalo na kapag may PhilHealth may return of investment sa health, dahil ito magsu-sustain ng health system nila (We included DILG so more local government units will join so they could see the importance, there’s an increased mandate, especially when there’s PhilHealth there’s return of investment to health as this will sustain their health system),” he said.

The circular will also create an inter-agency committee which would provide coaching and mentoring programs for the local leaders in the region.

While all mayors are invited to attend the training program, Janairo the told PNA that DOH does not force them to become part of the platform.

“Kung sinong sumagot sa paanyaya, susuriin tapos parte na ng programa, ang pagsusuri ay (Whoever responds to the invite, will be evaluated and they become part of the program) more on baseline of their present situation in relation to health, initially there’s an in house training five or ten days then they will be evaluated until such time they have an output which will be assessed here and DOH will fund the training in fact we have six million pesos for this,” he said.

The program focuses on good governance in the health sector, health service delivery, health workforce, health information, access to essential medicines and healthcare financing.

“With this approach we hope to bridge the gap between knowledge and effective management that will lead to improvements in core health system areas including quality of clinical care, data-driven decision-making, leadership and accountability and satisfaction of community,” he added.

DOH is targeting the participation of 25 Region 4-A (Calabarzon) mayors but only eight mayors have responded to the invitation up to date.

They include Antonio Carolino of Sta. Maria, Laguna; Carlo Clado of Macaulay, LagunaDino Chua of Noveleta, Cavite; Virgilio Varias of Alfonso Cavite; Michael Rivera of Padre Garcia Batangas; Daniel Reyes of Agoncillo Batangas; Alexander Rivera of Buenavista Quezon; and Amado Penamora of Panukulan Quezon.