In an ongoing effort to bolster PhilHealth’s Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) program, the Unilab Foundation held the Pampanga leg of its nationwide roundtable discussions on October 18, 2024. These forums, organized through the Unilab Center for Health Policy (UCHP), are designed to refine and implement the Konsulta program’s Manual of Operations (MOP), with the ultimate goal of advancing universal healthcare (UHC) in the Philippines. Below are seven key takeaways from this initiative:
1. Collaborative Input from Key Stakeholders
The Pampanga forum brought together local government units (LGUs), healthcare providers, and patient groups to gather insights on the Konsulta program’s current rollout. This approach ensures that feedback from those on the frontlines of healthcare delivery is integrated into the program, making it more responsive to the needs of Filipinos.
2. Addressing Outpatient Healthcare Gaps
Konsulta is PhilHealth’s comprehensive outpatient benefit, offering essential services such as consultations, health screenings, laboratory tests, and access to critical medications. By promoting early detection and affordable healthcare, Konsulta seeks to prevent chronic illnesses and shift the focus from reactive to proactive healthcare, a crucial shift in the country’s health landscape.
3. Development of a Konsulta Manual of Operations
UCHP is finalizing a Konsulta Manual of Operations to standardize the program’s implementation across healthcare facilities. The manual provides detailed guidelines on registration, accreditation, provider billing, and social mobilization. This will ensure smoother operations and greater access to Konsulta’s benefits, which include 15 laboratory tests and 21 essential medicines.
4. Aiming to Reduce Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Costs
With Filipinos spending 45% of their healthcare expenses out-of-pocket in 2022, UCHP’s Konsulta initiative is a step toward reducing this financial burden. Konsulta aims to make outpatient services more accessible and affordable, thereby decreasing the reliance on expensive inpatient care that has long strained the country’s healthcare system.
5. A Nationwide Initiative with Local Impact
The Pampanga event is part of a series of roundtable discussions across the country aimed at gathering region-specific insights to shape Konsulta’s nationwide implementation. The first forum was held in Metro Manila in September, with over 70 stakeholders participating. This inclusivity ensures that both public and private healthcare providers, as well as LGUs, are actively engaged in advancing UHC.
6. An Inclusive Approach to Universal Healthcare
According to Unilab Foundation Executive Director Atty. Jose Maria Ochave, the roundtable discussions are crucial to addressing the fragmented and uncoordinated state of primary healthcare in the Philippines. By involving multiple stakeholders in these dialogues, the program takes steady steps toward achieving universal health for all, ensuring that health services are accessible even in underserved communities.
7. A Strong Advisory Council to Guide Healthcare Policies
UCHP’s efforts are supported by a multi-disciplinary Advisory Council, chaired by former Department of Health Secretary Dr. Enrique T. Ona. The council includes experts from various fields, ensuring that the strategies and policies implemented through Konsulta are well-grounded and aligned with the country’s healthcare needs.
As Unilab Foundation continues its mission to create a healthier Philippines, its Konsulta initiative is a significant leap forward in the country’s journey toward universal healthcare. By fostering collaboration, providing structured guidelines, and addressing financial barriers to healthcare, the foundation is helping to make equitable healthcare a reality for all Filipinos.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME/FOR YOU?
PhilHealth’s Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) program, bolstered by the Unilab Foundation’s efforts, brings a significant shift in how healthcare is accessed in the Philippines. If you’ve ever delayed a medical checkup or ignored symptoms due to high costs, Konsulta aims to change that by providing affordable outpatient services. Through this program, you gain access to consultations, essential laboratory tests, and critical medications, helping prevent chronic illnesses before they become severe. It’s designed to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, which have been the biggest hurdle for many Filipinos, allowing you to focus on staying healthy without worrying about draining your finances.
Understanding these efforts means understanding a healthcare future where affordable, proactive medical attention is the norm, not a luxury. For anyone who values their health and wants to avoid huge hospital bills, learning how Konsulta operates and knowing which facilities offer these services can be empowering. The Unilab Foundation’s initiative to refine the program’s implementation ensures that these benefits are accessible, organized, and tailored to your needs, making healthcare one less thing to worry about.
I LOVE TO TRAVEL AROUND THE PHILIPPINES, WOULD THESE INITIATIVES BENEFIT ME?
Yes, if you love to travel around the Philippines, these initiatives would greatly benefit you. Through PhilHealth’s Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) program, you can access affordable outpatient services across the country, as long as you have registered already and have identified accredited health care provider. This means that even during your travels, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that healthcare is accessible without the fear of hefty out-of-pocket expenses.
For travelers, this is especially helpful because the program emphasizes early detection and proactive healthcare, reducing the risk of falling seriously ill during your trip. With Konsulta’s focus on making healthcare more accessible and affordable, you can explore the country with less worry, knowing that medical help is available when needed, even in far-flung destinations.
