Expectations of Filipino consumers on the UHC Law
The active participation of all stakeholders in a whole-of-society, people-centered approach to fight this health crisis has become a global call. The direct link of health to the dynamics of ecosystems is the hard lesson that we all must recognize and address with urgency.
As we mark two years since the enactment of the Universal Health Care Act. BK3 joins the alliance of the UHC Watch advocacy in solidarity with its call for transparency and accountability.
We must work together to keep the general public aware and vigilant as huge resources will be disbursed to gradually improve our healthcare system.
As consumers, now struggling in this deep recession, we need an accelerating pace of execution of the health services mandated in the UHC Act. Let us not forget that COVID 19 is not the only disease killing our people. The deaths from other infectious and non-infectious disease such as heart disease and cancer are alarmingly way above the pandemic. And the sad reality is that this pandemic is affecting the continuity of treatment of these diseases.
For the ordinary consumer, getting sick is not an option. “Bawal magkasakit”. Simply because we cannot afford to get sick. We hope that this reality can be significantly addressed.
Yes, health is our most urgent personal concern. Now that the millions of households are in dire straits, just trying to get to their next meal. A family member getting sick is the last thing we need. But should this happen, the quality of assistance that will be made accessible thru the UHC programs will be the most important gauge of performance.
So cost is the number one concern. Though there is the MRP which helps lighten the out-of-pocket purchase of medicines. Other ways of expanding access to the most consumers who cannot even afford to buy medicines such as pooled procurement should be prioritized.
As that popular Filipino adage points out: “ang sakit ng kalingkingan ay dama ng buong katawan”. Kaya ang buong katawan ang kailangang kumilos at ang iba’t ibang parte nito ay kailangang makipagkoordina, hindi lamang ang kalingkingan.
To follow through on this metaphor, we wish to point out that in the final analysis, napakahalaga ng usapin ng pamamahala – ng ULO, ng “Pang-ULO’ dahil doon nagsisimula at nagmumula ang mga desisyon kung paaano kikilos ang buong katawan at ang iba’t ibang bahagi nito. This is why there must be good governance.
The challenges are daunting but we really have no choice but have to rise beyond narrow sectoral or personal differences and be united. Para sa kagalingan nating lahat at ng mga darating pang henerasyon ang gawaing ito.
Prof. Louie Montemar
Convenor, Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3)