Despite long-standing challenges in the country’s healthcare system, 2024 has seen significant milestones in public health, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
DOH Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa highlighted the department's notable strides in advancing the Philippines' healthcare landscape.
These milestones, he said, reflect the DOH’s commitment to improving public health, enhancing access to medical services, and addressing pressing health challenges.
From implementing innovative health policies and strengthening disease prevention programs to ensuring the availability of medical resources and supporting healthcare workers, Herbosa emphasized that the DOH’s initiatives this year continue to prioritize the health and well-being of every Filipino.
Key achievements and milestones
As the DOH plays a pivotal role in shaping the nation's health priorities, Herbosa outlined the department’s intensified efforts to strengthen the country's health systems amidst evolving challenges.
Among the major accomplishments this year, Herbosa highlighted the establishment of Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS).
Currently, there are 42 BUCAS Centers nationwide: 20 in Luzon, eight in the Visayas, and 14 in Mindanao.
BUCAS Centers provide primary, ambulatory, and urgent care services. These centers offer X-rays, ultrasounds, consultations, and even surgical procedures, bringing essential healthcare closer to Filipinos and reducing congestion in emergency rooms.
Herbosa also cited the “PuroKalusugan” program as one of the DOH’s key milestones this year.
The “PuroKalusugan” program aims to deliver public health services nationwide through the National Health Workforce Support System, under the supervision of the DOH’s Centers for Health Development (CHDs).
This program provides various primary healthcare services, including maternal and child health, immunization, water sanitation and hygiene, tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) control, and non-communicable disease prevention programs. To date, 14 PuroKalusugan centers are operational.
Additionally, Herbosa noted the 83 Bagong Pilipinas Mobile Clinics nationwide, which offer consultations, chest X-rays, ultrasounds, and blood examinations.
Through the National Health Workforce Support System (NHWSS), the DOH deployed 627 doctors to rural areas and over 19,000 health workers nationwide. It also supported more than 253,000 Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and at least 1,700 local government units (LGUs).
As part of the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP), the DOH awarded P560 million to 235 LGUs that achieved 100 percent of their nutrition targets.
Herbosa also highlighted achievements in outbreak response, particularly the immunization campaign in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where 1.2 million children were vaccinated.
The DOH’s response to mpox was another significant accomplishment, according to Herbosa.
Following the World Health Organization's declaration of mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the DOH organized a national task force, developed the 2024 National Action Plan, and implemented measures for prevention, detection, and response.
Herbosa assured that “no Clade 1 strain has been detected in the country.”
Other initiatives included scaling up laboratory capacity, risk communication campaigns, community engagement, and ongoing coordination with international partners to acquire mpox-related commodities.
In advancing health security, the DOH conducted its second Joint External Evaluation (JEE), becoming one of only three countries in the Western Pacific region to achieve this milestone. Herbosa noted significant progress in the nation’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats.
Addressing challenges
While celebrating milestones, Herbosa acknowledged challenges faced by the department, including addressing the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) for healthcare workers who served during the pandemic.
“We have settled all claims,” Herbosa said, noting that the DOH released P74.97 billion for 13.53 million claims.
Herbosa also flagged the health workforce shortage as a pressing issue, citing the annual departure of at least 13,000 nurses. To address this, he pointed to the establishment of 22 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) offering medical programs and the lifting of the embargo on new nursing schools by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Another challenge is the infrastructure gap in the country’s health system. To address this, Herbosa said the DOH plans to build hospitals, primary care facilities, and multispecialty centers.
DOH priorities for 2025
Looking ahead, Herbosa expressed the DOH’s commitment to fostering partnerships, embracing innovation, and enhancing the resilience of the healthcare system to ensure no Filipino is left behind.
“Our priority is addressing the biggest problems in healthcare,” he said.
Herbosa emphasized the need to improve immunization rates, which currently stand at 60 percent. “We need to reach at least 85 to 90 percent,” he added.
Other priorities for 2025 include nutrition, water sanitation, and maternal care, particularly for young mothers, to reduce unplanned pregnancies.
The DOH also plans to digitize the health system by establishing nationwide command and data centers.
“We aim to solve problems using precision public health, data, science, and digital technology,” Herbosa said. “It’s ambitious, but with the progress we’ve made, I remain confident,” he added.