TUBOD, Lanao del Norte – The implementation of Universal Health Care for the Province of Lanao del Norte was once deliberated during the recently conducted Provincial Health Board Meeting on October 18, 2022, at the Multi-Purpose Building, Capitol Ground, Tubod.

 

In the report shared by Dr. Jovette Guinal, of the Provincial Department of Health Office (PDOHO), as of September 30, 2022, the province of Lanao del Norte is 100% on its Road map to UHC Integration and 44% for the organizational level accomplishment rate. However, little change was noted in the general functional level accomplishment rate which hits only 5%.

 

Moreover, with the recent data provided by PhilHealth, among the 762,678 projected population of the province, there are still about 458,420 who only have PhilHealth Membership. Ms. Christine Mae Garcia-Magno, LHIO Chief, PhilHealth Iligan City & Lanao del Norte, the healthcare providers also support their KONSULTA package. This is for the expansion of its existing Primary Care B/enefit Package. As of now, there are 20 KONSULTA facilities in the province.

 

Despite the many challenges in satisfying the requirements for the implementation of UHC, Governor Imelda ‘Angging’ Dela Cruz Quibranza appealed to every Local Government Unit with its Municipal Health Officers to never be disheartened, but rather, be steadfast in attaining the shared goal to provide affordable, accessible and healthcare system.

 

“Yet, we are already recovering from the effects of the health crisis brought by the pandemic, we still need to be more proactive and prepared in this new normal since the virus still lingers in our midst”, Governor Angging said.

 

The Province of Lanao del Norte is still under Level 2. As of the accomplishment of the province’s latest coverage for vaccination last September 30, 2022, 58.77% of the target population are fully vaccinated, of which 5.34% is the Bakunahang Fully Vaccinated Senior Citizens Coverage. PIO-LDN