DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) Undersecretary of Health for Universal Health Care (UHC) Health Services Cluster Area 1 – Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire and Assistant Regional Director Rodolfo Antonio M. Albornoz led the oath-taking of 532 human resource for health (HRH) for Ilocos Region under the National Health Workforce Support System (NHWSS) in Region 1 during a ceremony held in San Fernando City, LA Union On March 13, 2024.
A total of 312 nurses, 85 midwives, 45 midwives returning to service, 29 medical technologists, 17 pharmacists, 12 dentists, 3 nutritionists-dieticians, 3 physical therapists, 16 doctors to the barrios, 10 doctors for post-residency deployment and will be deployed in various provinces of the region.
Undersecretary Vergeire said that the hiring of HRH under the NHWSS will help achieve the objectives of the Universal Health Care (UHC) which will be guided by the DOH 8-Point Action Agenda.
“Most of our LGUs are still unable to achieve the recommended health work force to support the implementation of UHC, that is why we need to provide them the support they need until they become self-reliant and be able to discharge all the devolved functions including provision of health services and implementation of health program,” she explained.
The National Health Workforce Support System (formerly Human Resources for Health Deployment Program) is the thrust of the government to deploy, redistribute, and retain health workers in the country to enhance access to quality health services and improve health outcomes.
The creation of NHWSS is mandated by the Republic Act (RA) No. 11223, otherwise known as Universal Health Care (UHC) Act of 2019, which seeks to ensure that all Filipinos are guaranteed equitable access to a comprehensive set of quality and cost-effective promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health care services without causing financial hardship.
Assistant Regional Director Albornoz added that the newly hired HRH will provide the needed deployment augmentation from the NHWSS. “These HRH will be assigned to priority Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) and other communities where marginalized, vulnerable populations are present.”
“These health work force will help ensure that all Filipinos are guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health care goods and services in the community,” Albornoz concluded.
