After a recent discussion among permanent representatives to the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG), which played host to World Health Organization (WHO) director-general, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Philippine Permanent Representative Evan P. Garcia affirmed the Philippines was on course to achieving universal healthcare.

According to a release from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Garcia said universal healthcare could be achieved through Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), the government-run healthcare provider, and called financing a “main roadblock” in accomplishing the goal.

He noted, however, current policies towards resolving the financial issues were “ahead of the curve.”

Garcia, alongside other permanent representatives from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), were briefed on the upcoming World Health Assembly, scheduled to take place in Geneva from May 21 to 26.

The director-general expressed his hope “ASEAN member-states can speak on their concrete and ambitious commitments to the attainment of universal health coverage.”

Last month, PhilHealth president and CEO, Dr. Celestina Ma. Jude De La Serna, revealed the Negros Occidental provincial government was paid P2.4 billion last year by the government-run healthcare provider.

She also projected a rise in future payments, quoting the amount at “P4 billion and above.”

In addition, Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez stressed a need to upgrade hospitals and provide more efficient services./WDJ