The Department of Health (DOH) and several lawmakers are looking into the possibility of renationalizing the country’s healthcare system.
According to Dr. Beverly Ho of the DOH Health Promotion Bureau, the department is open to returning the management of health services under the local government units (LGUs) to the national government, provided that the renationalization proposal is thoroughly reviewed.
“Siyempre marami pang kailangang i-consult. This proposal came up also because of the pandemic response and ngayon ang kailangan lang klaruhin siyempre, anu-ano ‘yung mga maaapektuhan.”
Dr. Ho added that due to the existing health service devolution under the local government code, assistance from the DOH to the LGUs is limited. The devolved system also affects the data analysis amid the covid-19 pandemic, because there are some LGUs with limited access to the electronic information system.
DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III initially said the renationalization is significant especially to the LGUs that do not prioritize health programs.
Report from Mark Fetalco/NGS-jlo
