Echoing the United Nations’ (UN) call to “leave no one behind,” this year’s PhilHealth STUDIES Forum will highlight the need to continuously enhance universal health coverage and strengthen the country’s health systems in a two-day event on October 29 and 30, 2024 at the Citadines Hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City.

The forum is the research dissemination component of the program, PhilHealth STUDIES (Supporting the Thrust for UHC through Data, Information, and Knowledge-Exchange Systems). This program advances R&D projects that support the implementation of UHC through evidence-based social health insurance and health care financing policies. The program is implemented through a partnership between PhilHealth and the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD).

Now in its 8th year of implementation, the PhilHealth STUDIES Forum will carry the theme: “Inclusive Health Care: Strengthening Health Systems through Health Financing,” deriving inspiration from the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals’ promise to leave no one behind. Accordingly, this year’s forum will feature projects under the Local Evidence to Advanced Decisions (LEAD) program and will focus on topics that are relevant to the transformation of health systems and health financing in the country.

PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr.  described the forum as another step towards meeting the goal of UHC. “We aspire that every Filipino, regardless of status or circumstance, has access to quality and affordable health care services,” he said.

Meanwhile, DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime C. Montoya highlighted how the program’s coverage has grown over the years in pursuit of the vision to realize universal healthcare for every Filipino. “Since 2015, we have monitored 36 research projects, organized five capacity-building activities, and co-hosted nine prior research dissemination activities (through the program),” he said. “In the spirit of PhilHealth’s vision: Sa PhilHealth STUDIES at research, Bawat Pilipino ay Protektado, Kalusugan ay Segurado,'” he added.

The two-day forum will also feature experts in health financing and advocates of UHC such as: Dr. Wei Han, Senior Economist of the World Bank; Dr. Josephine R. Bundoc, Walking Free Program Chair of the Physicians for Peace; and Atty. Michael O. De La Pena, Health Policy Development Lead of the UNILAB Foundation; among others.

Co-hosted by the PhilHealth, DOST-PCHRD, and the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the 8th PhilHealth STUDIES Forum will be streamed live on the DOST-PCHRD’s official Facebook page.