The Department of Health (DOH) remains committed to address the health needs of poor Filipinos as it launches today the Surgical Caravan in Lubao, Pampanga. This event aims to offer operations, ranging from minor to major cases, certainly at no cost to indigent patients in need of surgical procedures.
Dubbed as “ToDOH Alaga, May TSeKaP na, May Operasyon Pa,” this initiative is an offshoot of the Philippine Health Agenda (PHA)-Checkup program particularly aimed at realizing the provision of surgical intervention to those who need them, which was among the early commitments of the Duterte administration. This is in line with PHA guarantee of Service Delivery network where appropriate care is made available and accessible to all Filipinos regardless of capacity to pay.
Furthermore, the Caravan seeks to enhance the service delivery capability of local government hospitals through the technical assistance from DOH Hospitals, and support them towards the continued realization of the PHA’s three guarantees of providing health care across all stages of life, establishing Service Delivery Network, and improving universal health insurance coverage.
The DOH regional offices and hospitals, PhilHealth, and LGUs (Provincial and Municipal) shall collaborate for fund/resource sharing, identification and clearance of beneficiaries, and implementation arrangements for the Surgical Caravan proper.
All DOH Hospitals shall participate in the Surgical Caravan as Visiting Hospitals, while selected LGU Hospitals shall participate as Host Hospital.
“The Surgical Caravan is another DOH initiative towards making health services available to our indigent fellowmen across the country. It shall be carried out using appropriate funds of the agency including those of the hospitals,” Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial stated.
Other laboratory and diagnostic procedures, drugs, medicines, supplies; professional fees incurred pre- and post-operatively may also be covered by the DOH Medical Assistance Program funds.
All surgical procedures done during Surgical Caravan in accredited government facilities shall be compensable with PhilHealth.
“Through the surgical caravan, we hope to fulfill the administration’s inclusive vision of ‘All for Health towards Health for All,’” Secretary Ubial concluded.