National Patient Congress takes on critical health care issues

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO) is gearing up for the National Patient Congress starting today that will focus on the theme “Hand in Hand for Universal Healthcare.”

To be held at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) until tomorrow, the congress takes on heightened significance against the backdrop of a heated controversy involving the Department of Finance’s recent order to transfer P89.9 billion in unused subsidies from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to the National Treasury.

In light of the controversy, the PAPO Patient Congress will serve as a crucial platform for dialogue, bringing together diverse stakeholders to discuss and address the implications of national health care issues.

The event aims to facilitate meaningful conversations on how best to ensure that patient needs are met and to explore solutions for enhancing the health care system in the Philippines.

The congress will feature a distinguished panel of speakers, each offering valuable insights into health care challenges and solutions.

Durhane Wong-Rieger, president and CEO of the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders, will talk about the challenges of patients and winning strategies for better access as well as the global movement for patient advocacy.

Sen. JV Ejercito, the principal author of the Universal Health Care Law, will discuss the law’s impact since its enactment in 2019 and the ongoing efforts to ensure its full implementation.

PhilHealth president and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. will provide perspectives on enhancing financial access to health care and PhilHealth’s role in advancing universal healthcare.

ADB director of health practice Eduardo Banzon will kick off the panel discussion on the role of the development partners in UHC, while PHAPCares Foundation president Loris Ramin will talk about the role of the private sector in advancing health for all.

Ogusa Shibata, technical officer for Health Care Quality and Patient Safety at the World Health Organization, will discuss global standards for patient safety and how innovative solutions can be integrated into the Philippine healthcare system.

“The congress serves as a platform for patients to demonstrate that they are proactive partners who can work productively and meaningfully with other stakeholders to co-create solutions, rather than simply voicing complaints or making requests. We aim to elevate the voices of patients by showcasing the capacity of our patient leaders to contribute constructively to healthcare improvements,” PAPO president Karen Alparce-Villanueva said.