DOH: Additional P100 billion could boost universal healthcare

Metro Manila, Philippines - An additional P100 billion could boost universal healthcare, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said on Thursday, Sept. 4.

During the House appropriations panel hearing on the budget of the Department of Health (DOH), Herbosa said health economies estimated an annual budget of P450 billion to fulfill the Universal Healthcare (UHC) Act.

“Ako, nakikita ko malapit na tayo du’n [I think we’re near the estimate]. Nasa [We are at around] P320 billion tayo. Siguro [Maybe] another P100 billion could actually help. Also, there’s the absorptive capacity of the DOH. So, we won’t ask for all of that. We will only ask for what we can utilize per year,” Herbosa said.

For the health chief, the UHC should be implemented in stages.

He noted that medical expenses keep on rising, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Pero ang cost of diagnostics, cost of medicine continue tumataas, especially after COVID. That is a global phenomenon. ‘Yung equipment nagiging mas modern, nagiging mas mahal. ‘Yung medicine nagiging mas bago, mas effective pero mas mahal,” Herbosa said.

[Translation: The cost of diagnostics, medicines continue to increase, especially after COVID. That is a global phenomenon. Modern equipment becomes more expensive. Newer medicines are more effective but more costly.]

House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Antonio Tinio asked Herbosa to give an amount that they need to give an additional budget to the DOH.

“In my mind, P120 billion is doable in the current budget. Even ang flood control ay P250 billion proposed. Kung ilalagay ito, libre na ang outpatient sa government hospitals. Napakalaking ginhawa po ito sa mamamayang Pilipino,” TInio said.

[Translation: Flood control projects have a proposed allocation of P250 billion. If the budget would be given to the DOH, outpatient services in government hospitals would be free. It would be a great relief to Filipinos.]

Herbosa said they will submit an estimate.