In the Philippines, there are many factors contributing to patient choice. More often than not, patients cite accessibility, quality, and cost as primary factors in selecting a health-care provider. At the center of patient-centered care is the freedom for individuals to make informed choices regarding their health care. Historically, the right to choose has often … Continue reading Empower patients to make informed choices
Health
PH’s health care system not truly universal
DURING the past five years, we saw a dramatic increase in the number of Filipinos enrolled as PhilHealth members. The increase is a result of the heightened campaign of the past administration to enroll all Filipinos, especially the vulnerable population (those considered poor and the senior citizens), in the country’s national health insurance program. These … Continue reading PH’s health care system not truly universal
Nurses, whether public or private, deserve just pay
We welcome the Supreme Court’s ruling that upholds a provision of Republic Act No. 9173, or the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, stating that government nurses should receive compensation pegged at Salary Grade 15, not Salary Grade 11 as specified in Executive Order No. 811 issued by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. But our fight … Continue reading Nurses, whether public or private, deserve just pay
Honor nurses with action, not just words
Even before the pandemic struck, the excessive workload and administrative obligations of public health nurses were brought to light, prompting calls for developing new cadres and the review of staffing standards. To allow advanced practice nursing, it is vital to harmonize scopes of practice, update current professional laws, and promote collaboration among health workers in … Continue reading Honor nurses with action, not just words
Year of the Nurse and Midwife
In honor of the 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the World Health Organization has designated 2020 as the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife.” This year will not only honor and celebrate the valuable contributions of nurses in health care, it also seeks to highlight the challenging conditions they face every day. In the … Continue reading Year of the Nurse and Midwife
Principle behind IRM is good
During the Committee Hearing on August 17, Marikina Rep. Quimbo was surprised to know that hospitals are allowed to use funds from the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM) for other operational expenses (e.g. salary). Let me reiterate that the same mechanism is expected when "prospective payments" (in the form of global budgets) will be provided to hospitals … Continue reading Principle behind IRM is good
Congressional hearing: Corruption allegations against PhilHealth
Congressional Hearing 5 August 2020 1) I do not agree with Cong. Defensor when he said that investing in an IT system while still using the All Case Rate (ACR) system will "computerize" corruption in PhilHealth. Regardless of the provider payment system, an IT system will actually help the Corporation and health care providers … Continue reading Congressional hearing: Corruption allegations against PhilHealth
Stepwise Approach to Address the Nursing Shortage in Critical Care Settings
With limited manpower and resources, hospitals can only do so much in a pandemic. Sadly, the country is still in the pandemic phase of the COVID-19 outbreak and more cases are expected to be confirmed in the following weeks. The Department of Health (DOH) has recently identified six areas in the Visayas as emerging COVID-19 … Continue reading Stepwise Approach to Address the Nursing Shortage in Critical Care Settings
Pandemic Financing: How the World is Funding the COVID-19 Response (Part 2)
What are the considerations in the provider payment mechanism? How we raise money to pay for health care is an important issue. But equally important are the daunting tasks of organizing health service delivery, and compensating individuals and organizations that provide these services. To meet the increasing demand for health care services, health care workers … Continue reading Pandemic Financing: How the World is Funding the COVID-19 Response (Part 2)
Pandemic Financing: How the World is Funding the COVID-19 Response (Part 1)
Introduction Many countries are scrambling to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary focus has been on strengthening health systems to improve surge capacity1,2. At the same time, countries are faced with the difficulty of balancing the demands of responding to the pandemic with the need to maintain the delivery of essential health services2. This … Continue reading Pandemic Financing: How the World is Funding the COVID-19 Response (Part 1)
Pens & Needles 