Cordillera Administrative Region Advances in Health Care with 90% LGUs Establishing Provider Networks for UHC

BAGUIO: In a significant step towards healthcare enhancement, 90% of local government units (LGUs) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have successfully established their health care provider network (HCPN), a critical component for the full implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law. This development was reported by the regional office of the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, DOH-CAR regional director, during a press briefing held in Baguio, almost all provincial, municipal, and city governments in the region have set up their HCPN, with formal agreements already in place in Baguio, Benguet, Ifugao, and Mountain Province. The HCPN is pivotal in improving patient navigation and referral systems, as well as streamlining the provision of health services. It comprises both public and private secondary and tertiary healthcare providers, delivering people-centered comprehensive care in a coordinated manner. The primary health care provider within this network serves as the navigator and coordinator of healthcare.

Magpantay highlighted that the establishment of HCPN would lead to improved quality of care through collaboration and sharing of good practices. He also noted that the HCPN allows for the assessment of healthcare providers’ readiness in terms of equipment, infrastructure, and human resources. “The LGUs have committed as integration sites for UHC, which entails them to upgrade their local health systems into province or city-wide health systems,” he added.

Under the UHC implementation, the focus is also on strengthening rural health units and primary care providers in villages. This enhancement will enable these units to address the basic health needs of the public, reducing the necessity for patients to visit apex hospitals for primary health concerns.