Bohol, towns sign inter LGU

cooperation on health care

GUINDULMAN, Bohol, Dec 3 (PIA)—Wanting to conserve whatever resources are available, Bohol Provincial Government through Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, signed an inter-Local Government Unit Cooperation in the local implementation of the government’s Universal Health Care.

In the Memorandum of Agreement signed by all Bohol mayors and Governor Aumentado for the Provincial Government, all parties see that it is only by adopting an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development can essential goods and services to the people, especially the underprivileged, sick, elderly, women, children and the disabled can they be fully responsive.

Taking section 33 of the Local Government Code, Bohol LGUS group themselves to consolidate and coordinate their efforts to extend scarce resources and impact on the provincial health care situation.

By so doing and by operation of the Universal Health Care Act, Bohol and its LGUS decided to contribute funds, resources, property, to integrate health systems with the Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine Health Corporation, for the same purpose.

As the Inter LGU cooperation ensures strengthened collaboration linkages between Bohol and its LGUS through generation, mobilization and allocation of resources for the improvement and sustainability of an efficient health care system, accessibility of basic and quality health products and services, it also organizes a primary care providers network and upgrades health facilities and services based on existing DOH and PhilHealth standards.

It is also envisioned to strengthen LGU leadership and management capacities to organize and implement integrated management support systems for policy directions and possible future technical support, explains Dr Cesar Tomas Lopez, Provincial Health Officer.

The agreement includes the setting up of a Special Health Fund (SHF), managed by the Provincial Health Board

Integrating the health care system into the province-wide health system allows a pooled and managed health system through the SHF with each component LHU creating a sub-ledger in their trust funds account for the augmentation of the health expenditures, while it mandates the LGUS to continue appropriating for personnel services, capital outlay, and the maintenance and other operating expenses for the health facilities in their areas.

In the province-wide health system, the provincial Government through the Provincial Health Office, improves the geographical accessibility of health facilities and services, improve orad conditions, transport and communications for medical and surgical emergencies.

For the municipal governments, they are now into integrating their health plans to jibe with the provincial health plans based on their unique health situations, while managing their municipal and primary health care facilities. (rahc/PIA_7/Bohol)

Officials from the Bohol local government units and the provincial government led by Gov. Erico Aumentado (center, front row) during the MOA signing on Inter-LGU Cooperation for Bohol Provincewide Health System. (PIA Bohol)