To strengthen partnership in implementing eHealth solutions for universal health care (UHC), the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC), and the Pangasinan Provincial Health Office (PHO) signed a memorandum of understanding last 7 May 2021 in a virtual ceremony.

Having previously worked together on eHealth projects, the AdMU IPC and the Pangasinan PHO formalized another partnership through the Local Government Unit-mandated eHealth Networked Services for Universal Health Care (UHC LeHNS) project led by Dr. Dennis Batangan from the AdMU IPC.

With the reforms on health information systems under UHC, the UHC LeHNS aims to assist local government units in implementing eHealth solutions for health systems management and health service delivery at their level. Dr. Marian Luz Vilchez, the vice president for Loyola Schools, emphasized the importance of such projects in achieving good outcomes in health policies. “Forging partnerships with local government units is a way to concretize policy ideals and get them tested on the ground to effect greater sustainability,” she said.

One of the major reforms under the UHC is the set-up of province and city-wide health systems which aims to empower LGUs in the delivery of healthcare to communities. This shift calls for the integration of eHealth in the LGU level. “eHealth is actually lodged or located under the governance pillar of universal health care,” Dr. Batangan explained. The UHC LeHNS will support Pangasinan PHO through two project components: 1) the development of local health information systems, and 2) the integration of UHC-relevant concepts in AdMU IPC’s eTURO learning system which includes modules, webinars, and trainings for health workers.

In his opening remarks, DOST-PCHRD Executive Director emphasized the impact of the project on the implementation of UHC in Pangasinan communities, “It is important to implement universal health care in order to safeguard the health of Filipino people by providing efficient and adequate resources, and ensuring the sustainability of health programs and learning initiatives by using modern technology in order to reach Filipinos even at the grassroots level,” he said.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by Dr. Maria Luz Vilches, representing the AdMU, and Atty. Nimrod Camba and Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa De Guzman, representing the Provincial Health Office of Pangasinan.