THE signing into law of the Universal Health Care Act is a "concrete proof of the President’s 'malasakit' (compassion) for ordinary Filipinos," said a party-list group based in Eastern Visayas.
“Thanks to this new law, millions of Filipinos will now have access to quality and affordable health care services especially in rural communities,” said Jude Acidre, the second nominee of Tingog party-list.
READ: Duterte signs universal health care law
Acidre said the Universal Health Care Act is “clearly a giant step in ensuring quality health care services for the Filipino people.”
“The new law reflects the pro-poor development agenda of Duterte,” he said in a press statement.
The nominee, however, said that much more has yet to be done with the passage of the law.
“We must ensure that affordable healthcare facilities are available, and that preventive and primary health care interventions are given the attention and resources that they need,” said Acidre.
According to Acidre, they will also push for a “wider health care services through the institutionalization of private-public partnerships in the health care sector and the closer integration of both government and private healthcare institutions into a single healthcare delivery system.”
Meanwhile, Acidre said they hoped to see the establishment of more government hospitals to include the Samar Island Medical Center, a proposed government tertiary hospital that will cater to patients in the Samar provinces of Eastern Visayas.
In signing the new law on February 20, Duterte said “quality and affordable health care services” are now accessible for all Filipinos. (SunStar Philippines)