Public-private partnership drives improved healthcare delivery

The devolution of basic social services under the Local Government Code has encouraged the local government units to take an active role in establishing their respective health agenda. The uneven capability to manage and maintain resources among LGUs has resulted in a similar yet uneven implementation of various health delivery programs and systems nationwide.

In Quezon City, the health department has an enormous task of overseeing 142 barangays composed of a total of 422,508 families as of 2010, ensuring the efficient mobilization of its resources, most especially at the grassroots level. An important component of its health program is the implementation of maternal and child healthcare services.

“Health is a priority of Quezon City. In 2011, a total of P443.4 million was allocated to Quezon City Health Department for health operations of the 62 health centers, seven lying-in clinics, three social hygiene clinics and one mobile health center,” says Dr. Antonieta Inumerable, City Health Officer III.

In 2008, the Quezon City health department forged a partnership with United Laboratories, Inc. (UNILAB) and DOH for the pilot run of Bayanihan sa Kalusugan (BsK), a public-private sector initiative aimed at helping the government to strengthen the capabilities of the barangay health centers. The program is focused on the organized delivery of DOH’s program for maternal and child health services particularly on pre-natal and ante-natal care, immunization for infants and young children and family planning. The program is also a response to the challenges set by the Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5.

The BHWs are considered as the frontline service providers of the health centers. They are the ones who engage the people in the community to improve their health seeking behavior, and to encourage them to avail of the extensive health programs provided by DOH. Hence, the first phase of the BsK program focused on the BHWs’ function for case findings, timely issuances of referrals to the health centers and accurate documentation of health services rendered. These were identified as critical elements that provided access to people in the communities so that they are able to avail of healthcare services provided for by the local government for free.

After almost two years of conducting the pilot program, the results yielded an increase in the recorded coverage of the BHWs for pre-natal and post natal services, immunization and family planning—which also resulted to the significant accomplishment of all Quezon City districts in the Field Health Surveillance and Information System. DOH Secretary Ona recognized the program as a best practice due to its alignment with the UNDP goals and the government’s health objectives.

“We believe and we live by the spirit of bayanihan. Through the years, we have been working with the government, non-government organizations and even the academe, to respond to the health care needs of the Filipinos, most especially those who belong to the so-called Base of the Pyramid. Our business philosophy lies on being able to provide access to quality and efficient health care services at all levels,” says Jose Maria A. Ochave, Unilab’s Senior Vice President for Social Partnerships.