ITRMC, DAP-GSPDM ink partnership on future of health in the Ilocos
By Anne Hazel Fajardo-Flores
SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union Feb 28 (PIA) – The Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) and the Development Academy of the Philippines-Graduate School of Public Development Management (DAP-GSPDM) inked a partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the future of health in the Ilocos Region on February 2, here.
The signing of the MOA aims to create a Center for Health Systems and Development which is anchored on the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, and to assist in the praxis of health systems and development through the establishment of ladderized programs and other development mechanisms of ITRMC.
According to ITRMC Medical Center Chief Dr. Eduardo Badua III, “This partnership will entail us to become a center for knowledge co-creation and innovations in health systems and development, which is the first of its kind in the country.”
Further, he said that the present time is challenging because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic but promising for the health sector through the implementation of the said act.
Badua also sees more demand from the public health care systems and hospitals in the coming years.
He said that the implementation of the UHC and the emerging threat of the COVID-19 will compel policy makers and health administrators to reconsider their positions in planning for a responsive health system of the future.
Moreover, the technical assistance that the DAP-GSPDM will provide are based on the World Health Organization’s Six Building Blocks of Health Framework on service delivery, health workforce, health information systems, access to essential medicines, financing, and leadership or governance.
“Governance, performance and preparedness of the health systems will be a critical policy from hereon, that is why the ITRMC braises itself on its active role to establish an effective, responsive and resilient health system to provide its utmost public service with excellence,” he added.
The virtual MOA signing was attended by DAP-GSPDM Senior Vice-President and Dean Dr. Lizan Perante-Calina, and the officials of ITRMC headed by Badua. Also in attendance are the ITRMC’s Multi-Sectoral Governance Council or MSGC members.
In her speech, Calina said, “While our mandate extends to interventions even on policy, organizations, systems and processes, we devote much of our attention and focus to individuals, to capacitate them with skills and competencies necessary to effectively perform their functions.”
urthermore, Calina extended her appreciation on behalf of DAP-GSPDM on the acceptance of ITRMC to partner with them and said that it is the mark of the fruitful and productive working and learning relationship between the two institutions.
DAP-GSPDM is one of the first higher education and training institutions that recognizes the importance of the health sector and the health professionals in nation-building. (JCR/VHS/AHFF, PIA-1)
