RACONTEURPH

2019 Champions for Health Governance Awards launches

The Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance & Ethical Leadership, collaborates anew with global biopharmaceutical company MDS in the Philippines and non-profit organization Jesse M. Robredo Foundation for the 2019 Champions for Health Governance (CHG) Awards.

CHG commends top performing local government units (LGUs) that ensure good health and well-being of its constituents through excellent and efficient implementation of their local health programs. This is in accordance with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals on health and the Department of Health (DoH) framework to achieve universal health care for all Filipinos.

The biennial citation was first launched in 2013 and is now in its fourth run.

Entries will be evaluated based on local leadership, transparency and accountability, effectiveness, innovativeness, health resource management, and community engagement in health. They will also be assessed based on their contribution to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

“My father, Jesse Robredo had always believed in the power of the local government. CHG seeks to challenge our local leaders to generate innovative ways to solve their localities’ health problems despite the odds,“ explains Jessica Marie Robredo, Chairman of Jesse Robredo Foundation, in her speech.

Kaya Natin! champion and acting Olangapo City Mayor Sara Garcia affirms, “The success of UHC relies heavily on government and hospital participation in city and municipal levels. The vision of a healthy Filipino community will be attained when the public and private sector spark a partnership to genuine serve available, accessible, affordable, and quality health care programs to all Filipinos.”

The top live winning LGUs from the city or municipal level will receive a cash grant worth PhP 100,000 to fund their best health programs and continue their outstanding initiatives in health.

This year‘s search will be officially launched at a formal event to be led by Kaya Natin! board member Harvey S. Keh.

For more information on the criteria and mechanics, interested LGUs may visit the CHG website http://healthgovernance.weebly.com or Facebook page http://facebook.com/HealthGovernance. Deadline of submission of entries will be on December 28, 2018.

This partnership is an intrinsic element of MSD’s comprehensive vision to improve access to innovative therapies through far-reaching programs and partnerships, with the mission to provide healthcare solutions to people who need it the most. Anchored on its commitment to improving health and well-being around the world, the company develops research-based medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases which include but a e not limited to cancer, HIV, vaccine-preventable diseases, cardio-metabolic ailments, and antibiotic-resistant infections as well as emerging global pandemics.

“We, at the private sector, aim to be a partner of choice of all our stakeholders. Aligned to our vision to continuously invent for life, we share the responsibility of improving the health and access to quality healthcare among Filipino people. One way of realizing that goal is through meaningful collaborations with key government units,” said Dr. Beaver Tamesis, President of MSD in the Philippines.

He added, “Trust that we will continue to share our expertise and resources until gaps in health systems are filled and equitable access to true UHC is achieved.”

For her part, Vice President Leni Robredo believes that the first step to expanding universal healthcare coverage is through creating stronger connections with communities and stakeholders. “My husband is an advocate of developing strong, robust and reliable social services because he believes good leadership is measured by the amount of trust built between the government and its citizens. When people have faith in their leaders, people are more likely to participate in government initiatives,” she said.

The Philippines is one of the nations that face numerous challenges when it comes to receiving optimal healthcare. Challenges in the devolved health systems, more so access to products and services has been detected in remote communities and in barangays that have competing priorities with healthcare. UHC intends to address these obstacles by defining the critical role of LGUs in the delivery and implementation of health services at the local level.

“Our fourth class municipality of San Gabriel where 90% of the population is comprised of indigenous people, lack the resources that higher-class municipalities and cities have at their disposal. We viewed this challenge as an opportunity to revisit and review our programs, study local data, analyze and effect policies that will address identified priorities using the resources at hand,” shared Mayor Herminigildo M. Velasco of San Gabriel, La Union.

San Gabriel bagged the award two years ago.

CHG’s initiative spurs municipalities like us to bring out our ‘best practices’ in healthcare. The recognition we received continues to inspire our people to work hard in promoting and sustaining our various efforts,” Mayor Velasco added.

While resources may not be a main problem for a first class municipality like Plaridel, this Bulacan town cites its consistent drive to improve the community’s welfare as the reason behind their proactive approach to healthcare. “We won the Best Mental Health Implementer in February 2017 for our Women and Child Crisis Center. We also received the Best Health Practice recognition in December 2017 for our ‘Ugoy, Haplos, Aruga’, which promotes Early Childhood Care and Developmental Intervention,” said Mayor Jocell Casaje.

“The prize we received as CHGA in 2017 was allocated back to our Barangay Health Leadership Management Program for our 19 barangays and in the procurement of mental health commodities. Plaridel is consistent,” Mayor Casaje added.

Kaya Natin! Movement recognizes that the private sector is a vital enabler in countries with disease burdens and poor healthcare systems in terms of fulfilling its health goals and in promoting the well-being of its people. Through multi-sectoral partnerships with key government agencies, non-government organizations, private companies and the media, it aspires to push Philippines towards achieving its Sustainable Development Goals by encouraging the private sector to share its business and technical expertise.

“We value our partnership with MSD because we believe that good and innovative health governance will ultimately lead to more healthier cities and municipalities. This will then lead to more productive Citizens in our country which will then lead towards solving poverty and inequality in our country,” said Keh.

MAIN PHOTO 1: The submission of entries for the 2019 Champions for Health Governance (CHG) Awards is now open. CHG recognizes top performing local government units (LGUs) for their health governance initiatives that are aligned with the United Nations sustainable development goal of ensuring healthy lives and the promotion of wellbeing for all, and support the government’s thrust of giving universal healthcare for all Filipinos. Photo shows (L-R) Acting Olongapo Mayor Dra. Sarah Lugerna Garcia; Mayor Herminigildo Velasco of San Gabriel Lau Union; Mayor Jocell Casaje of Plaridel Bulacan; Jessica Robredo of JMRF; Dr. Beaver Tamesis of MSD in the Philippines; and Harvey Keh of Kaya Natin Movement during the launch event.

MAIN PHOTO 2: Photo shows past awardees of the Champions for Health Governance Awards together with representatives from Kaya Natin! Movement, MSD in the Philippines, Jesse M. Robredo Foundation and other partner stakeholders during the launch of the 2019 CHG Awards.