Dr. Paulyn Ubial,Incoming Department of Health (DOH) Secretary, declared that the department will aim for higher health spending to serve the Filipino people better. In a recent interview, Dr. Ubial promised to impart her knowledge and skills as a government health officer. She added that the Health Department should live by its belief that prevention is better than the cure.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a country should provide at least 5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) for health spending. In that sense, Dr. Ubial stressed that the Philippines is not spending enough for its health quarter, and that the country should invest more in health.
The incoming DOH Sec. seeks to prioritize primary care, preventive and promotive services, instead of hospitals. Dr. Ubial noted that the government should allocate more budget for health from its GDP.
She disclosed that she already had a conversation with President-elect Rodrigo Duterte about how they can provide help to the poorest Filipino people. One of the initiatives that they took into consideration is providing free annual health checkup and health insurance.
Duterte once affirmed that all of profit of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) will be used for various health and education services. Dr. Ubial remains positive that Duterte would support her causes.
