DOH renews UHC commitment through 8-point action agenda


The Eight-Point Action Agenda “Para sa Healthy Pilipinas” (For a Healthy Philippines) was formally launched by the Department of Health (DOH) on Friday, Oct. 20, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to Universal Health Care (UHC).

This strategic move came after the release of Administrative Order No. 2023-0015, which launched the Eight-Point Action Agenda as the health sector's medium-term strategy.

DOH held an orientation to inform staff at its central and regional offices, hospitals, implementing units, and various sectoral stakeholders about the new strategy.

"The aspiration of every Filipino is simple: isang matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay (one stable, comfortable, and peaceful life) with the current administration, these aspirations are further pursued through the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028,” DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa said.

“In the health sector, I am pleased to inform everyone that the health sector's medium-term strategy, the Eight-Point Action Agenda Para sa Healthy Pilipinas, aptly called, ‘Sa Healthy Pilipinas, Bawat Buhay ay Mahalaga’ (In a Healthy Philippines, Every Life is Valuable), is now disseminated through Administrative Order 2023-0015,” he added.

Herbosa presented the mandates and objectives of the agenda, followed by informative presentations on humanistic leadership and good governance by Undersecretary Kenneth Ronquillo and the alignment of policies, programs, projects, and funds by Director Frances Rose Elgo-Mamaril.

DOH pointed out that the Eight-Point Action Agenda represents an important step toward achieving the Filipino people's aspirations for a sturdy, comfortable, and secure life.

In line with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 and the UHC Law, it offers a transformative roadmap for the health sector and identifies concrete strategies that the DOH will implement and sustain from 2023–2028, with the ultimate goal of fully realizing UHC for all Filipinos. (Zekinah Elize Espina)