Home

UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE LAW A DREAM FULFILLED – NAST PHL

The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) commends the signing of a law that will provide health care assistance and coverage to all Filipinos.

Last February 20, 2019, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed the Universal Healthcare Act that will provide all Filipinos access to health products and services and will automatically enroll them to the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). The law ensures that all Filipinos will have a guaranteed access to various health services and affordable health products.

It can be remembered that during its 38^th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) last July 2016, the NAST PHL, through its ASM Resolutions, called on the President to include all Filipinos to a Universal Healthcare mechanism, which was also known as “Kalusugang Pangkalahatan”.

Considering the gargantuan task of pooling funds for an inclusive healthcare program, NAST PHL also identified potential funding sources such as contributions from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), proceeds from the increased excise taxes in liquor and tobacco (sin taxes), and revenues from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

In one of his interviews with the Philippine Daily Inquirer last 2013, NAST PHL member and National Scientist Ernesto O. Domingo, M.D. expressed his utmost desire for a universal healthcare in the country.

“I have only one dream left—that eventually we will be able to fully implement universal healthcare. That should be our dream, all of us,” Domingo said.

A recipient of the highly-coveted Ramon Magsaysay Award and a gastroenterologist by profession, Domingo has been advocating for the universal health care act from time immemorial. He was a founding member of the Universal Healthcare study group established in 2008 that studied and pushed for the passage of the said bill. The group campaigned for the adoption of its “Blueprint for Universal Healthcare” during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.

With the passage of the universal healthcare act, the NAST PHL believes that a new chapter in the fulfillment of the health sector’s dream has begun.

The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) is an attached agency to the Department of Science and Technology, mandated by law (E.O. 818, s.1982) to advise the President and the Cabinet on matters related to science and technology.

Source: http://www.nast.ph/index.php/13-news-press-releases/426-universal-health-care-law-a-dream-fulfilled-nast-phl

Medicine Made Specifically for Filipinos? DOST and PCHRD are on it

(Image: DOST PCHRD)

• Studies have shown that the effectiveness of treatment and therapy may vary based on genetic differences.
• DOST and PCHRD are investing in omic technology, which will allow local scientists to conduct medical research tailored for Filipinos.
• Omic technology will benefit not just the medical field, but other sectors as well.

Despite what we may have been conditioned to think, medical research isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition.

Research has shown that the effectiveness of medicine and therapy may vary depending on patients’ race, diet, and environment, among other factors. Medicine made for Americans or Europeans, for example, are unlikely to be as effective if they’re used by Filipinos.

To solve this, medicine and therapy options must be tailored to suit the traits and needs of people living in a particular country. However, this requires a combination of enough data and the right facilities.

DOST’s ‘Omics’ program ushers personalized medicine for Filipinos

Panelists at the “Talakayang HeaRT BEAT” technology media conference (L-R) Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, Sec. Fortunato T. de la Peña, Dr. Cynthia P. Saloma, and Dr. Rody G. Sy. (Photo by Henry A. de Leon, DOST-STII)

The right medicine with the right dose to the right Filipino. This, in essence, is how Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña described the ultimate goal of the government’s “Omics” program.

DOST presented the “Omics” program dubbed “Omic Technologies for Health: ‘Lunas na Sakto sa Pilipino’” during the “Talakayang HeaRT BEAT held on 27 February 2019 at the La Breza Hotel in Quezon City.

PRRD signs Universal Healthcare Care law

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the ceremonial signing of the Revised Corporation Code and the Universal Health Care Act, presentation of the Social Security Act of 2018, Philippines Sports Training Center Act, An Act Providing for the Reapportionment of the Province of Southern Leyte into Two Legislative Districts, and The New Central Bank Act as well as the presentation of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) dividends at the Malacañan Palace on February 20, 2019. ROLANDO MAILO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday signed the Universal Health Care Act into law which will automatically enroll all Filipinos under the government’s health insurance program.

Duterte signed the landmark legislation in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace, saying the new law will surely make a positive impact in the lives of the people.