Partnership Aims to Revolutionize Local Health Governance

Strategic Insights -

The partnership between Unilab Foundation, the Unilab Center for Health Policy, and Ateneo de Manila University's School of Government seeks to deliver research-backed solutions to improve the fiscal performance of health budgets at the local level, aiming to achieve Universal Health Care. The collaboration brings together expertise in data-driven policy work, ethical governance, and policy innovation to optimize local health spending under the UHC Law. This initiative seeks to move beyond ideals and tackle the mundane details of budget and money to realize the promise of universal healthcare.

Key Takeaways:

  • The partnership aims to deliver research-backed solutions to improve the fiscal performance of health budgets at the local level.
  • Unilab Center for Health Policy has been working to close gaps in the UHC Law's implementation, while Ateneo School of Government trains leaders to tackle real-world problems through policy innovation and public accountability.
  • The collaboration draws on the strengths of both institutions, combining data-driven policy work with ethical and evidence-based governance.
  • The partnership seeks to spark a deeper shift in mindset that good health is not just a policy goal, but a shared responsibility.
  • Research has shown that local government spending on health is falling to irrelevance, highlighting the urgent need for reform.
  • The partnership aims to generate research and data that can guide both national and local decision-makers in strengthening public healthcare systems.

Statistics:

  • Out-of-pocket spending in the Philippines decreased from 47 percent in 1992 to 45 percent in 2023.
  • Thailand's out-of-pocket spending decreased from 45 percent in 1992 to 9.2 percent in 2023.
  • PhilHealth's shift to a new provider payment mechanism has been studied as part of UCHP's research.
  • The Konsulta outpatient package has been implemented as part of UHC reforms.
  • A service delivery model for geographically isolated and disadvantageous areas (GIDA) has been developed, to be pilot-tested in Ormoc City.
  • UCHP completed four studies last year, two national and two local, on critical UHC reforms.

Sources:

  • Unilab Foundation (ULF)
  • Unilab Center for Health Policy (UCHP)
  • Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU)
  • Ateneo School of Government (ASoG)
  • Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
  • "Ground Zero" (study on UHC reform implementations)
  • "Konsulta Outpatient Package" (study on UHC reforms)
  • "Service Delivery Model for Geographically Isolated and Disadvantageous Areas" (study on UHC reforms)