Cebu City heading for integrated healthcare

CEBU, Philippines — There will soon be better coordination between the city’s health centers and the hospitals. This after Cebu City was made part of the Universal Health Care-Integration Sites (UHC-IS) in the country, according to Cebu City Health Department (CCHD) administrative officer Dr. Daisy Villa.

In an interview with Villa prior to acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia’s inspection of the facilities of the Super Family Health Center in Barangay Apas yesterday, she said that Cebu City, together with Lapu-Lapu City, are now among the local government units in the Cebu to become a UHC-IS following Mandaue City.

“Usa na ta sa IS or Integration Sites for Universal Health Care. So, wa man ta ka apas before, kay Mandaue is the pilot. Karon, usa na ta; dungan mi sa Lapu-Lapu,” Villa said.

According to the Administrative Order No. 2021-0006 of the Department of Health (DOH) UHC-IS refers to provinces, highly-urbanized cities, and independent component cities that have signified their commitment to the DOH to integrate their local health systems into a city-wide health system.

When asked about its advantages, Villa stated that there will be integration with the city’s health centers and the hospitals.

“That is the most important (advantage nga) naa tay link with each other na; even if naay private hospitals. If mangadto sila’g private, so ato i-try og link,” she said.

Villa also said that through the UHC-IS, the CCHD will have better coordination with other hospitals, particularly in fighting against dengue.

It was reported by the CCHD that there is a decrease in the number of cases and fatalities compared to the two previous years from January to May. From more than 2,000 cases and five deaths in 2022, and more than 700 cases and one death in 2023, the numbers dropped to 389 cases and two deaths in the same period this year.

Villa also said that the CCHD monitoring teams are prompt in overseeing every time a dengue case is reported to them.

“Ako gipa-monitor nila nga unta unsa ang mga kapuy-an o ka-itlogan sa lamok kay mao g’yud to’y dile nato makontrol,” she said, referring to the common breeding places of dengue mosquitoes.

Villa encourages the public to cooperate and not hesitate to ask for help from the city health centers when symptoms persist.

“As much as possible, kung naa na ta’y sintomas nga kinahanglan atimanon, dile g’yud ta magpanuko og duol sa sentro,” she urged.

“In fact, we’re very proud karon nga atong sentro daghan na ta og doktor,” she added. — Nicholas Jon Malaga, CNU Intern