Last May 31, 2022, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III presented key health accomplishments of the Duterte administration at the Duterte Legacy Summit held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). In line with the advancement of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act and the national government’s COVID-19 pandemic response, Secretary Duque highlighted the implementation of sixty critical policies and operational guidelines, completion of at least seventy percent of Key Result Areas (KRAs) in 80 percent of UHC integration sites, and the development of 1,798 LGU hospitals and 639 DOH hospitals.

“Despite the challenges we have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue with UHC implementation and the establishment of Malasakit Centers. The pandemic response even expedited several UHC-related initiatives, which strengthened the integration of our local health systems at province- and city-wide level,” said Secretary Duque.

Furthermore, the DOH through its Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) funded the development of 7,796 Barangay Health Stations; 3,259 Rural Health Units; 34 Polyclinics; 1,798 LGU Hospitals; 639 DOH hospitals; 14 quarantine facilities; and 34 treatment and rehabilitation centers. DOH, in line with Republic Act No. 9502, or the Universally Accessible, Cheaper, and Quality Medicines Act, lowered the maximum retail price of certain drugs and medicines to reflect their exemption from the value-added tax. Furthermore, as of May 26 of this year, 151 Malasakit Centers have already been established in various hospital premises nationwide, and over 3.6 million patients have been provided financial assistance through the Medical Assistance to Indigent Patient Program or MAIPP under the Malasakit Program Office (MPO).

UHC programs also augmented and supported health service delivery in LGUs. Human Resources for Health were deployed to priority areas including the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), through the National Health Workforce Support System. An average of 27,400 Human Resources for Health per year were deployed to underserved areas in LGUs from 2017 to 2021. Further, the DOH launched its Telemedicine service program which played a big role in delivering accessible healthcare service  during the pandemic. This program was launched in 2020 and has already attended more than 379,900 consultations.

In terms of pandemic response, the government implemented its Four-Dour Strategy which includes the Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment, Reintegration, and Vaccination (PDITR+) approach to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

“These accomplishments are a testament to the commitment of the DOH in its pursuit of the realization of UHC. Gradually, the reforms we have set are paving the way to improve the health system in the Philippines, placing every Juan and Juana at the center of it all,” added Secretary Duque.