Upon the invitation of Department of Health’s Secretary, Dr Enrique T. Ona, Regional Director of Western Pacific Region Dr Shin Young-soo embarked on a 2-day visit to Cagayan De Oro and Bukidnon last July 12 and 13.
Dr Shin Young-soo and Dr Soe Nyunt-U visited one of the referral hospitals in Manolo Fortich while in Mindanao. Also in photo are: DOH Secretary Enrique T. Ona, Usec Teodoro Herbosa, Asec Nemesio Gako, and regional and hospital directors and staff.
Dr Shin’s visit coincided also with the Universal Health Care Conference of Northern and Western Mindanao which was participated in by Center for Health and Development Directors and hospital directors from regions IX, X and XIII as well as Philhealth regional officers.
In his message during the summit, Dr Shin said that Universal Health Care is achievable because the Philippines has political commitment as attested by the Aquino Health Agenda. Aside from AHA, the country also has an insurance system, funds and human resources which are all in place. He also encouraged the political and health leaders of the regions to work together to improve the health situation of the Filipinos. According to him, more than access to health care services and delivery, the successful implementation of Universal Health Care will build trust on the government systems and achieve solidarity and equality of the people.
The Regional Director also visited Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) where he was given a warm welcome by the staff and Chief of Hospital , Dr Jose Chan . Dr Shin , along with DOH Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo and Assistant Secretary Nemesio Gako. Dr Shin got a chance to observe the giving of Hepatitis B birth dosage to newborns. NMMC introduced HepB birth dose vaccination of newborns in 2007. It has an average of 2000 deliveries per year.
In Bukidnon, Sec. Ona had a chance to tour Dr Shin in two government referral hospitals – Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Manolo Fortich and Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center in Malaybalay. CHD Director Jaime Bernadas, Bukidnon Governor Alex Calingasan, Vice-governor Jose Zubiri and Ms Maricar Unabia proudly informed the RD of the region’s priority programs and projects. Foremost of which are the establishment of; Bukidnon Provincial Health System which ensures that “health care services are available, affordable, efficient and accessible to those who need it”, and the Provincial Indigency Health Program (PIHP) which aims to “answer the health care needs of the identified indigents in the province.”