Partnership Aims to Transform Local Health Governance in the Philippines

Strategic Insights -

A collaborative effort between Unilab Foundation (ULF), Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) aims to reshape local government financing of healthcare. The partnership focuses on delivering research-backed solutions to improve fiscal performance of health budgets at the local level, a critical component in achieving Universal Health Care (UHC). The initiative is the first of its kind to optimize local health spending under the UHC Law across local government units (LGUs).

Key Takeaways:

  • The partnership brings together the strengths of Unilab Foundation's Unilab Center for Health Policy (UCHP) and Ateneo's School of Government (ASoG) to address gaps in UHC Law implementation and train leaders in policy innovation and public accountability.
  • The collaboration aims to combine data-driven policy work with ethical and evidence-based governance, focusing on empowering institutions that can act on generated knowledge.
  • The role of budgeting in achieving health outcomes is critical, and the partnership aims to address the mundane aspects of budget and money to realize the promise of universal healthcare.
  • UCHP has already laid groundwork through four studies on critical UHC reforms, including a review of PhilHealth's new provider payment mechanism and the development of a service delivery model for geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA).
  • A 30-year review of national health accounts by UCHP found stark contrasts in health financing trends, with the Philippines' out-of-pocket spending decreasing from 47% in 1992 to 45% in 2023, while Thailand's decreased from 45% to 9.2%.
  • The partnership aims to generate research and data that can guide national and local decision-makers, with a focus on strengthening public healthcare systems and improving fiscal performance of LGUs.

Statistics:

  • The Philippines' out-of-pocket spending decreased from 47% in 1992 to 45% in 2023 (Basa, 2023).
  • Thailand's out-of-pocket spending decreased from 45% in 1992 to 9.2% in 2023 (Basa, 2023).
  • Local government spending on health was found to be "falling to irrelevance" despite increased funding (Basa, 2023).

Sources:

  • Unilab Foundation
  • Ateneo de Manila University
  • Department of Budget and Management