Delivering healthcare to your doorstep
MDH's Dr. Karin Estepa-Garcia on how Home Care Plus strengthens primary care and family medicine
Published Sep 10, 2025 11:58 am
Medical attention does not end in the hospital; it should extend into our homes, where care and comfort are sustained through proper follow-up, support from loved ones, and access to essential medical guidance and resources.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), primary health care is about working together as a community to make health and wellness services more accessible. It means meeting people where they are—from staying healthy and preventing illness to receiving the right treatment, recovering, and even accessing home care when needed. At its core, this approach puts patients first, ensuring that medical attention is tailored to their needs and respects their choices. One of its components, primary care, refers to the first point of contact in the healthcare system. It should be accessible, continuous, and person-centered, and can be provided by any trained primary care professional, whether in an outpatient department or within the community.
Dr. Karin Garcia - Family Medicine
An expert in this field, Dr. Karin Estepa-Garcia, values being a trusted doctor for Filipino families—a go-to professional who not only treats symptoms but also understands the stories behind them. With 18 years of practice, she has served as Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Manila Doctors Hospital and currently leads the Home Care Plus services unit. Drawing on her experience, she shares insights on the vital role of primary care and family medicine in providing patients with holistic and continuous care.
The heart of community care
Before being integrated into family and community medicine, primary care serves as the essential starting point. In the Philippines, primary health care was formally adopted in the 1970s, and this commitment was demonstrated through initiatives such as the Barangay Health Worker Program and the establishment of Barangay Health Stations. Over the years, progress has been a mix of highs and hurdles, often depending on the drive of local government units. The Department of Health has maintained momentum through essential programs like immunization, family planning, and maternal and child health services, all provided at the primary care level.
At Manila Doctors Hospital, one of the APEX hospitals recognized by the LGU, a patient’s health and wellness journey, from consultation to treatment and recovery, is at the forefront of their mind. They provide preventive, promotive, and comprehensive medical services and facilities, administered by their high-caliber medical and allied professionals, including nurses and physicians. Their commitment supports the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law that ensures every Filipino can access quality, affordable health services without financial strain. By putting primary care at the heart of the system, it focuses on prevention, early detection, and long-term wellness—making medical care more sustainable for generations to come.
With challenges like funding gaps, workforce challenges, and insufficient resources in the health system, the UHC recentered primary health care as the foundation of the health system. As this focuses on province-wide and city-wide health systems, it ensures access to essential services and mandates the organization of people within healthcare provider networks. Additionally, it led to the creation of primary health packages, and since then, the country’s once fragmented medical system began its transition into an integrated, person- and population-centered primary healthcare system—ensuring that every Filipino has access to quality, continuous, and coordinated care.
Comfort and healing beyond the hospital walls
The institution believes that good health begins with accessibility and connection. For them, this means bringing services closer to where people are. Over the years, they have launched programs that embody this commitment, such as coming up with different packages tailored to different lifestyles and ages to support wellness. When the pandemic underscored the urgency of bringing health services even closer to home, they responded by introducing the Home Care Plus program, offering full medical support—from consultations, medicine and medical supplies/equipment deliveries and diagnostics to specialty referrals—within the comfort of a patient’s home. This has been particularly valuable for elderly patients, those unable to travel, and individuals with complex medical needs.
“Healthcare shouldn’t stop when patients leave the hospital,” said Dr. Garcia, reinforcing MDH’s dedication to bringing hospital-level care into patients’ homes. She also emphasized the program’s impact on families, as it bridges the gap between medical care and the patient’s daily reality, going beyond simply giving instructions. “One of the most powerful things we’ve seen is how families become empowered. We walk alongside them, helping them gain confidence, ensuring they are equipped with what they need, and creating a supportive environment for their loved one’s recovery.”
What makes Home Care Plus unique is its integrated, one-stop approach. Beyond consultations and diagnostics, it offers a full spectrum of services, including nutrition counseling, nursing care, caregiver support, pain and wound care, palliative care, medicine and equipment delivery, and more. For families unable to fully attend to their loved ones at home, the program provides trained nurses and caregivers who can step in, offering both skilled support and peace of mind.
In essence, Home Care Plus is more than a service; it is a model of comprehensive, coordinated care delivered in the comfort of home, designed to meet medical, practical, and emotional needs with compassion and expertise.
Manila Doctors Hospital aims for a future where more patients with chronic conditions, including those in the aging population, can receive the attention they need without being financially burdened. It represents a significant step toward making preventive medicine not only more accessible, but also truly sustainable—ensuring that quality care can be delivered consistently, compassionately, and within reach for all.
Schedule an appointment by calling (02) 8558-0888 local 0714/ 4749 or visit the MDH website https://www.maniladoctors.com.ph/.