NCRO coordinates with Marikina to enhance LGU’s SDN
By: Dr. Haydee Len M. Palamo
The Department of Health-National Capital Regional Office progressively cooperates with the Marikina City Health Office to plan strategies as to how different programs will be integrated into one basic health care delivery system.
With the goal of enhancing the local government units’ service delivery networks (SDNs), this cooperation aims to produce a ‘model’ city. Thus, this model city will meet specific standards by which each city in Metro Manila may adapt.
Marikina City was selected due to its commendable deliverance of good practices in health care services in line with the programs of DOH. In addition to this, the city also actively takes part in the advocacy in improving the health-seeking behavior of its residents.
A preliminary meeting with Marikina Health Office was conducted last August 6, 2017 to assess the current health status level of the city and how the basic referral system is being executed.. A follow up meeting was then conducted last September 6 wherein a presentation of the recently released AO 2017-0014 was discussed. It highlighted the redefinition of the framework in the establishment of SDN. Likewise, based on a holistic approach, Marikina was chosen to conduct the pilot testing for a comprehensive approach in the establishment of SDN. Furthermore, a series of meetings and workshops will be conducted to monitor the development of these strategies.
Having a good referral system is vital in order to motivate patient to seek medical consultations. The objective of this collaboration is to involve not only public facilities but also private organizations in order to broaden the pool of health service providers. Hence, Marikina is maximizing benefits coming from Philhealth since most of its facilities are TB-DOTS and ABTC providers. Lying-in facilities are also Philhealth accredited. Aside from a strengthened SDN, Marikina City also ensures that it provides financial protection to all its citizens when accessing basic health care.