‘Health card for all’ sought by party-list org

A party-list organization representing the health sector announced on Thursday that it will seek the establishment of a health card for every Filipino once it secures a seat in the House of Representatives.

Represented by its first nominee Dr. Jondi Flavier, son of former Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Juan Flavier, and its campaign manager, former Health Undersecretary Dr. Eric Tayag, HEAL PH is committed to advancing the principles of Primary Health Care and fully supporting Universal Health Care.

Both health reform champions vowed to provide quality healthcare services to the poorest Filipino families and ensure access to health services for all.

Their shared vision, if elected, is to advocate for the GOAL program that will benefit the underserved Filipino communities: Gamot (free medicine), Operasyon (free medical operations), Abiso (correct health advice), Lab Tests (free laboratory tests).

According to Flavier, HEAL PH's platform includes providing health cards with unlimited medical coverage, which will provide vulnerable Filipinos with access to essential healthcare services, from basic care to specialized treatment.

When asked how will they ensure the success of the health card for all initiative, Flavier said they would first address the the country’s health system, noting that the Philippines has enough money to cover the health expenses of Filipinos.

“We have the money, but the money is not focused on universal health care. It's for other things… So we have the money, [we will] use the money for better hospitals, selection of better service engagements, and then finally, encourage the people to have a joint collaboration for their health,” Tayag explained.

“It's not only a response for their curative care. It's important that we have health-seeking behaviors and the need to refine day-to-day health-promoting activities,” he added.

In his speech, Tayag mentioned their desire to replicate the success of Brazil's Unified Health System, which provides public healthcare to permanent residents and foreigners in Brazil.

Through Brazil’s Unified Health System, public healthcare is provided to permanent residents and foreigners in Brazilian territory.

“Kung nagawa nila, hindi kaya kayang gawin din ng ibang bansa katulad ng Pilipinas (If they can do it, we can do it too in the Philippines),” Tayag said.

“Ito po ang binibigay namin sa minamahal namin bansa sapagkat panahon na na ang universal healthcare ay maisakatuparan ang kanyang mithi (This is what we are giving to our beloved country because it is time for universal healthcare to realize its ideal)."

HEAL PH is also committed to implementing strict penalties for the misappropriation of public health funds, including making such offenses non-bailable.