Under this year’s theme, "Envisioning the Future of Healthcare,” Secretary Herbosa cited the track record of the health department in fulfillment of its mandate to provide primary health care. From the establishment of the Bureau of Health in the 1940s, with the help of Dr. Jose F. Fabella, the government prioritized health issues concerning tuberculosis, malnutrition, malaria, leprosy, gastrointestinal infections, and high infant mortality rates. Fast forward to 2019, the DOH welcomed the enactment of the Universal Healthcare (UHC) Act which the health secretary described as a “historic shift” to realizing healthcare as a right of every Filipino.

Secretary Herbosa mentioned that, “No Filipino should ever have to choose between lifesaving care and financial ruin. Bawat Filipino mula sa pinakaliblib na barangay hanggang sa abalang lungsod, may karapatan sa abot kayang, delikadad, at maasahang serbisyong pangkalusugan.”

“The UHC Act emphasizes the crucial role of primary care, defined as the initial contact, accessible, continuous, comprehensive, and coordinated care that includes a range of services for all presenting conditions,” added Secretary Herbosa.

He also acknowledged the current challenge of ensuring timely access to life-saving medicines, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable citizens. “Today, we still face malnutrition, maternal and childcare, and non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart disease.” In addition, he underscored the need to provide an adequate number of hospital beds, nurses, and midwives to patients across provinces.

To tackle these challenges, the health secretary cited the medium-term strategy known as the 8-point Action Agenda.

“This strategy built on fast reforms is in response to the President’s and this administration’s priorities. The strategic act envisions policy alignment and collaboration among stakeholders nationwide, aiming for the Philippines to rank amongst the healthiest nations by 2040,” said Secretary Herbosa.

He outlined that “the DOH would implement primary care through three pillars: health promotion and disease prevention, acute care, and women's health. To further address gaps in the delivery of primary care services, the DOH rolled out several service delivery platforms that will supplement the primary care services provided by the local government units and private clinics, utilizing the current capacities of the department to ensure that the continuum of care.”

These interventions at the grassroots level utilize the “purok” structure for effective service delivery and monitoring of essential healthcare services concerning immunization, nutrition, maternal health, access to safe drinking water, tuberculosis, road safety, non-communicable diseases, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and digitalization of health services.

To bring healthcare to the most vulnerable sectors, the health secretary also called for the support of stakeholders and underlined the role of media in this endeavor. “We need the strong commitment of partners like Manila Bulletin, who for 125 years understood that information saves lives. We need the support of communities, the laboring of our front liners, the leadership of our local governments, and the innovations of our partners in the private sector as we move forward in a new era.”

In his speech, DOH Assistant Secretary Alberto Domingo concurred that the delivery of information is important in the health sector. “To inform our population of what the DOH is doing, and obviously, that is the Manila Bulletin, alongside the many other traditional media. And when I say traditional, I am not saying in the traditional sense that they are old. We are in an age where the information sphere is very dynamic.”

Assistant Secretary Domingo expounded the health department’s mandate of delivering universal healthcare, as underlined in the 1987 Constitution, and the creation of PhilHealth and its charter.

He also mentioned the devolution of primary healthcare services brought by the Local Government Code of 1991, as one of the important discussion points of the forum, including the delivery of health services at scale.

Speaking to the student attendees, Domingo said, “You have to understand that before you go into the health care profession and become a doctor, nurse, or medical technologist since you all have to work within a system.”

He also challenged the students to study hard, check their motivations, and ask the question: “Is this really what I want to do for a lifetime?”