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MelanieAldeon
On September 4, 2012, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) together with the Center for Health Market Innovations (CHMI), organized the 2nd Galing Likha-Kalusugan Awards at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati City. (To read more about the lead up to these awards, click here).
Among the 10 finalists, the 3 outstanding meritorious innovation schemes were Mother Bles Birthing Clinics (MBBC) of KaKaK Foundation Inc., Surveillance in Post Extreme Emergencies and Disasters (SPEED) of the Department of Health (DOH) and World Health Organization (WHO), and PhilHealth Link of PhilHealth Region 8.
SPEED is an early warning disease surveillance system for post-disaster situations launched by the Department of Health and World Health Organization in 2010. The aim of the system is to determine early and potential disease outbreaks and monitor disease trends. It contributes immensely in reducing preventable deaths and diseases by enabling timely and appropriate response by local government officials. Using web-based software technology which can receive data via SMS, the system enables online data validation and automatic generation of necessary reports. Thus, it makes the transmission of syndromic disease information from, barangay or evacuation centers to all levels of a health system, in a short period of time.
PhilHealth Link is a call center for PHilHealth members; a collaborative enterprise supported by provincial local government units who want to maximize reimbursement from PhilHealth so that LGU health facilities can have a steady revenue stream. This project was launched by PhilHealth Region VIII in 2010. PhilHealth LINK is particularly useful for households whose premiums are subsidized by local government units under the sponsored program, and who may not be fully aware of the benefits they are entitled to and how they may be availed of.
Mother Bles Birthing Clinics are networks of PhilHealth accredited birthing health facilities started in Leyte Province. The program aims to provide poor pregnant women with accessible and affordable maternal and infant health care services. Ninety-five (95) percent of the clients of MBBC are PhilHealth indigent members, and the remaining 5 percent are either non-PhilHealth or paying clients. The business model of Mother Bles Clinics harnesses the comparative advantages of the following sectors through private-public partnership: KaKaK Foundation Inc., private practicing midwives, municipal and provincial government.
The other 7 finalists were Strategic Hospital Alliance Program (SHAP) of the Makati Medical Center, Provincial Indgency Health Program: The Bukidnon Model, Secured Health Information Network and Exchange (SHINE) of Smart Communications, Inc., Health Plus Outlets of Antique Federation of NGOs (AFON), Hospital Incentive Scheme: Special Service Fee of the Provincial Government of Leyte, LiFEDATA EMR Software of LiFEDATA Systems, Inc. and Ifugao’s Ayod Community Health Teams.
The Galing Likha-Kalusugan Award honors innovations in health. It covers programs in both the public and private sector that aim to address the quality, affordability, equity and availability of health care. The award is given to an organization in recognition of its dedication to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for Filipinos. It pays tribute to the best health market innovations in the Philippines, an initiative started in 2010 to scour the entire country for creative and fresh approaches to health service delivery while also stressing the importance of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the provision of accessible, efficient, cost-beneficial healthcare programs in the country.
Dr Josef T. Yap, President of PIDS delivered the welcoming remarks. He extended his appreciation to the members of the PIDS-CHMI team and the 10 finalists. He also promoted the 10th Development Policy Research Month this September with the theme, Regional Economic Integration and Inclusive Growth-Engaging Nations, Embracing People.
Mr. Oscar F. Picazo, Senior Research Consultant of PIDS discussed the background of the project, from elimination to assessment. Global Health Market Innovations project guidelines were used to measure the different innovative schemes. This year, PIDS identified 80 innovative health programs across the country. From this universal list, the 10 finalists were shortlisted by the Project Steering Committee and were evaluated and assessed by experts during the Roundtable Discussion. The set of criteria used were appropriate technology or system, impact, primarily pro-poor, innovative, interesting, exciting, pioneering, and ground breaking.
Other speakers were Undersecretary Teodoro Herbosa of the Department of Health, Ms. Margarita Songco of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) who read the message of Director-General Arsenio Balisacan, Dr. Elmer Soriano of Ayala Foundation-ACCESS Philippines Partnership, Ms. Cosette Canilao of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, and Dr. Eduardo Banzon of PhilHealth.
All of them conveyed the importance of innovations in improving the quality of life of Filipinos. The vision of having innovative health programs is possible. It should be carried out, improved and replicated throughout the country.
ABS-CBN News went to the awarding ceremony and conducted an interview before the program. Ms. Apples Jalandoni, reporter of ABS-CBN interviewed Dr. Yap and Mr. Picazo about the Health Market Innovations Project.
“Doing the same thing but expecting different results, you’re crazy,” Dr. Alejandro Herrin exclaimed as he delivered his closing remarks.
