Local and National Health Services Roles

Local Government Role in Health Services

• Local governments implement public health laws, enforcing food safety, sanitation, disease outbreak management, and smoking regulations.
• They create community health programs tailored to local needs, focusing on vulnerable groups and promoting mental health, physical activity, nutrition, and addiction support.
• They provide health education to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health, advocating for policies that promote public health goals like housing, clean water and air, and healthcare access.

National Government Role in Health Services

• The national government aims to achieve Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being.
• The Maternity Care Package (MCP) is a PhilHealth benefit covering essential health care services for women during pregnancy and normal delivery, including antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care.

Maternal Health

• Infant mortality rate in the Philippines has decreased to 10.36 per 1,000 live births, below the national target of 15.
• The maternal mortality rate (MMR) has fallen to 64.68 per 100,000 live births, meeting the target of 70.
• The adolescent birth rate is 24.36 per 1,000 females aged 15-19 years, also below the target of 37.
• Despite national progress, regional disparities exist, with MMR in subnational areas ranging from 29 to 152 per 100,000 live births.
• These variations reflect differences in healthcare access between urban and rural areas.
• Lower-income women are less likely to deliver in a healthcare facility and receive skilled assistance.
• The Philippines has a relatively low MMR compared to the global average but lags behind other Southeast Asian nations like Vietnam and Thailand.

Child Health Services

• Child healthcare encompasses physical, behavioral, social, mental, emotional, and developmental health.
• Immunization is crucial for preventing severe illnesses in children, with vaccines protecting against diseases like tuberculosis, polio, hepatitis B, and measles.
• Essential dental services for children include routine checkups, preventive care, restorative procedures, orthodontic assessments, and oral hygiene education.
• Nutrition services for children aim to provide adequate nutrition, promote healthy eating habits, and address malnutrition.
• Free checkup services for children offer medical examinations at no cost to parents, including physical examinations, developmental milestone assessments, and referrals.

Child Health Programs

• The Supplementary Feeding Program provides hot meals to children enrolled in bulilit centers and public schools.
• The "Nutrition in the First 1,000 Days" program focuses on health and nutrition support for children from conception to two years old.
• The "Chikiting Ligtas" program is a nationwide immunization campaign to vaccinate children against measles, rubella, and polio.
• The "KliniKalye" program delivers free medical services and health education to street children in Metro Manila using a Mobile Health Clinic.

Best Practices and Areas for Improvement in Healthcare

• Best Practices:
  • Community health programs like the "Buntis Congress" have effectively educated women about maternal health.
  • Telehealth services have enhanced access to care, especially in remote areas.
• Areas for Improvement:
  • Increase investment in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.
  • Enhance public awareness about healthcare services, especially for maternal health.
  • Address staffing shortages through improved training and incentives in primary and maternal health services.

Dental Services and Universal Health Care (UHC) Act

• The Universal Health Care (UHC) Act currently only covers basic dental services like cleft palate surgeries and tooth extractions.
• Senator Raffy Tulfo submitted Senate Resolution No. 1021 to amend the UHC Act to expand dental services, including providing free dentures.

This quiz explores the roles of local and national governments in providing health services. It covers topics such as public health laws, community health programs, and specific initiatives like the Maternity Care Package. Test your knowledge on how these government levels contribute to health and well-being.