Healthcare network launched

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Health-7 recently spearheaded the ceremonial launching of Health Care Provider Network (HCPN) in Mandaue City to achieve the Universal Health Care (UHC) vision.

With Mandaue City becoming the first highly-urbanized city in Central Visayas to integrate the HCPN into its primary healthcare service provision, city residents can now expect more seamless and accessible healthcare services among its 27 barangays.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said that under this program the barangay health centers are capacitated to immediately answer the health needs of the residents that can be done within their level

Cortes added that the primary goal of the HCPN is to make healthcare accessible in a systematic and organized manner. HCPN also aims to digitalize patient medical records as well as establish health profiles of PhilHealth members.

DOH-7 Regional Director Jaime Bernadas pledged to support the city by training barangay health workers and providing other resources.

The UHC Act ensures that every Filipino has immediate access to comprehensive health services, including medical, dental, mental, and emergency care. Section 18 of UHC or the Republic Act 11223 provides the formation of HCPNs that ensure integration and effective and efficient delivery of population-based and individual-based health services.

HCPNs are composed of integrated local health systems (province-wide or city-wide health systems), networks of private healthcare providers, or mixed public-private networks of health service providers.

The DOH is mandated to identify apex or end-referral hospitals for patients needing specialized care not available to HCPNs.

HCPN refers to a group of primary to tertiary care providers, whether public or private, offering people-centered and comprehensive care in an integrated and coordinated manner.

Bernadas added that there must be coordination among healthcare facilities within the community which is the basic of the network. — (FREEMAN)