Key stakeholders from the medical, government, and private sectors convened to advance stroke care delivery in the country and promote multisectoral cooperation during a roundtable discussion organized by the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. recently.

This event is in partnership with the German Embassy in Manila and BoehringerIngelheim Philippines.

Discussions from representatives of the brain and spine specialty centers, patient organizations and advocacy groups, national and local government, and private sector shed light on the need for expanded benefits coverage, supported initiatives and approaches for stroke prevention and diagnosis, emergency management, and enhanced patient rehabilitation and long-term care. 

Mathias Kruse, deputy head of mission at the German Embassy in Manila, underscored the value of creating platforms for meaningful dialogue to create integrated, whole-of-society approaches that can strengthen stroke care implementation across the country. 

Government representatives highlighted the importance of the alignment of the national stroke policy framework with that of the Universal Healthcare Act noting that such integration is key to delivering efficient, accessible, and equitable healthcare services especially for stroke patients. 

“Support — whether through financial benefits or collaborative efforts — is vital in implementing, expanding, and improving the programs and services for stroke patients.” said Dr. Cristina Macrohon-Valdez, president of the Stroke Society of the Philippines.

She also emphasized the organization’s ongoing efforts to assist institutions and individuals through training and certification programs, while reinforcing the Hub and Spoke Models for medical centers across the country. 

Philippine Health Insurance Corp. social insurance officer II Suzette Ann Sarmiento shared valuable insights on the expanded financial benefits and coverage for stroke patients and their care. 

“PhilHealth is continuously collaborating with our colleagues in the healthcare sector to improve these stroke care benefits especially in expanding the coverage beyond Metro Manila to reach more communities in the provinces.” added Atty. Exequiel Sy of PhilHealth. 

Dr. Giovanni Paolo Nazario, medical advisor at the Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines, shared insights from the private sector, noting an important shift toward coordinated initiatives and programs to align and reinforce the government policy pillars.

“This shift can build a stroke care ecosystem that is inclusive, resilient and future ready.” he further added.

Sharing her personal experience and patient advocacy insights, Karen Alparce-Villanueva of the Philippine Alliance for Patient Organizations stressed the importance of making healthcare accessible, affordable, and inclusive not just for patients but their families as well. 

“It’s about fairness, dignity and the simple belief that everyone deserves a chance to live a healthy life. We have the tools, we have, the knowledge, what we need now is the will to act together with purpose and compassion. Let’s build health systems that include everyone, protect everyone, and serve everyone, starting now,” she said. 

An open forum followed the insightful discussions, allowing participants to raise concerns and propose improvements to strengthen the national stroke policy and its financial coverage. Key topics included facility and personnel accreditation, capacity development for stroke care, enhancement of benefits packages, policy dissemination and alignment, and the need for further research and benchmarking. 

Stakeholders collectively agreed that a coordinated, multisectoral approach is essential to improving the quality of care delivered to stroke patients nationwide. 

“Stroke care is multidisciplinary, and our exchanges today are a testament to our shared commitment to bringing the Philippines one step closer to quality stroke care,” said Dr. Lennie Lynn Chua-De Castillo of the University of the Philippines — Philippine General Hospital, in her synthesis.

“With all the insights shared, we can now revisit stroke care — the policy, its benefits package, and existing programs — and align these with the needs of our communities. Let’s continue to support one another and do what we can, in our own ways, to improve stroke care in the Philippines.”