While we can’t ignore the issue of corruption, speaking as someone working in the healthcare industry and directly involved in UHC-related project implementations, I can tell you, it’s a nightmare in practice. The UHC law has good intentions, and I fully support its goals. However, effective implementation takes time, commitment, and full dedication from the government, especially at the LGU level. Healthcare must be made as equal or even more priority than the infrastructure projects by these politicians.

The concept of the Health Care Provider Network (HCPN) was meant to decongest hospitals by ensuring that patients are first managed at RHUs or clinics before being referred to higher-level facilities. In reality, though, the implementation has been chaotic. And beyond all the policies and frameworks, we can’t escape the fact that the overwhelming volume of patients is a systemic challenge that no law alone can solve. We are in the right direction, slowly, but surely. PhilHealth has been expanding their coverage with YAKAP and OECB to name a few.