Department of Health (DOH)

Legal Framework: R.A. 7160 (1991) Local Government Code-Provided for the decentralization of the entire government.

-All structures, personnel, and budgetary allocations from the provincial health level down to the barangays were devolved to the local government units (LGUs) to facilitate health service delivery

-LGUs are now responsible for the delivery of basic health services (implementation function)

-DOH (governance function)

E.O. 102 (1999)

The Department of Health is the national authority on health, providing technical and other resource assistance to local government units, people’s organization, and other members of the civic society in effectively implementing programs, projects, and services that will

(a) promote the health and well-being of every Filipino, (b) prevent and control diseases among population at risks, (c) protect individuals, families, and communities exposed to hazards

and risks that could affect their health, and (d)treat, manage, and rehabilitate individuals affected by diseases and

disability

Roles and Functions: DOH

1. Leadership in Health-national policy and regulatory institution where LGUs and NGOs will base their

direction for health2.Enabler and Capacity Builder-innovates new strategies in health to improve effectiveness of health programs- ensures highest achievable standards of quality health care3. Administrator of Specific Services-manage selected national health facilities that shall serve as national referral

centers-administers health emergency response services

Vision: Health for all Filipinos

DOH is the leader, staunch advocate, and model in promoting Health for All in the Philippines

Mission: Ensure accessibility and quality health care to improve the quality of life of Filipinos, especially the poor

DOH shall guarantee equitable, sustainable, and quality health for all Filipinos, especially the poor, and shall lead the quest in excellence for health

Objectives:

• Improve the general health status of the population• Reduce morbidity, mortality, disability and complications from

diseases and disorders• Eliminate the certain diseases as public health problems

– Schistosomiasis– Malaria– Filariasis– Leprosy– Rabies– Vaccine- preventable diseases: measles, tetanus, diphtheria, and

pertussis– Vitamin A deficiency– Iodine deficiency disorders

• Promote healthy lifestyle and environmental health• Protect vulnerable groups with special health and nutrition needs• Strengthen national and local health systems to ensure better health services

delivery• Pursue public health and hospital reforms• Reduce cost and ensure the quality of essential drugs • Institute health regulatory reforms to ensure quality and safety of health goods

and services• Strengthen governance and management support systems• Institute safety nets for the vulnerable and marginalized groups • Expand the coverage of social health insurance• Mobilize more resources for health• Improve efficiency in the allocation, production and utilization of resources for

health•

Objectives:

Goal: Health Sector Reform Agenda (HSRA)

• set in National Objectives for Health 1999-2004• health sector reform is the overriding goal of the DOH • conceptualized because although there has been a significant improvement in

the health status of Filipinos for the fast 50 years

• some the following conditions were still seen in the population:

-slowing down in the reduction of Infant Mortality Rare (IMR) -persistence of large variations in health status across population groups-high burden from infectious diseases-rising burden from chronic and degenerative diseases-unattended emerging health risks-burden of disease heaviest among the poor

reasons for conditions stated include:

• inappropriate health delivery system (poor coverage of public health and PHC services)

• inadequate regulatory mechanisms for health services (poor quality and high cost of health care services, drugs)

• poor health care financing (inefficient generation of funds)

Support mechanisms of HSRA:

• Sound organizational development• Strong Policies, Systems, and procedures• Capable Human Resources• Adequate Financial Resources

Framework for Implementation: FOURmula One for Health

• engages the entire health sector, including the public and private sectors, national agencies and local government units, external development agencies, and civil society to get involved in the implementation of health reforms.

• It is an invitation to join the collective race against fragmentation of the health system of the country, against the inequity of healthcare and the impoverishing effects of ill- health.

•

Four Elements:

• Health financing• - fosters greater, better, and sustained investments in

health• - involves Philippine Health Insurance Corporation PHIC)

through National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) and DOH• Health regulation- ensure quality and affordability of health

goods• Health Service Delivery- improve and ensure the accessibility

and availability of basic and essential care• Good governance- enhance health system performance at

national and local levels

Key feature: NHIP

• - supports each element through:• Financing- reduces financial burden of health care costs• Governance- it influences health market and related

institutions by being a practical purchaser of health care• Regulation- plays a role in accreditation, acts as driver

for improved performance in health sector• Service Delivery-demands fair compensation for the

costs of care•

Goals:

• Better health Outcomes• More responsive health systems• Equitable health care financing

International Organizations

• World Health Organization (WHO):– the directing and coordinating authority for health

within the United Nations system– World Health Assembly- the supreme decision-

making body for WHO. It meets each year in May in Geneva, and is attended by delegations from all 193 Member States.

– Executive Board- composed of 34 members technically qualified in the field of health. Members are elected for three-year terms

Objective:

The attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health

Core functions:

• Providing leadership on matters critical to health and engaging in partnerships where joint action is needed

• Shaping the research agenda and stimulating the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge

• Setting norms and standards and promoting and monitoring their implementation

• Articulating ethical and evidence-based policy options; • Providing technical support, catalysing change, and building

sustainable institutional capacity• Monitoring the health situation and assessing health trends

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

• -the United Nations (UN) body responsible for the rights of children

• Roles:- required by the UN Convention to promote the

effective implementation and to encourage international cooperation for the benefit of children.

-UNICEF is represented during UN Conventions and may be invited to provide expert advice on the implementation of the convention

Global Structure of UNICEF:

• -International offices:• New York and Geneva• -Specialised offices: • Copenhagen- Supply Division which manages the

supply centres that are • essential in emergencies• Florence- Innocenti Research Centre well- known

for its authoritative • publications on children