Unified health system makes healthcare accessible to remote barangays in Butuan
By Mariesh F. Celedeña
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The city government of Butuan, through the City Health Department (CHD), in collaboration with the Department of Health–Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga, continues to deliver quality healthcare services to remote areas of the city through the Citywide Health System.
This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s mandate to strengthen the Universal Health Care (UHC) through the provision of accessible, coordinated, and responsive healthcare services. Through the citywide health system, the city government integrates barangay health stations, district health centers, primary care facilities, and hospitals into a unified healthcare network.
One of the key mechanisms of this system is the Primary Care Provider Networks (PCPNs), wherein individuals from the barangays are linked to the nearest healthcare provider. PCPNs enable patients, especially those from far-flung areas or sitios, to access immediate primary healthcare services from the nearest healthcare facility without having to go directly to hospitals.
“Patients in the barangays will first go to the barangay health center. Based on the assessment of barangay healthcare workers, if further medical attention is needed, they will be referred to the main health center. The main health center may likewise refer patients to a higher level of care if necessary,” said Doctor Teresita Helen V. Makiling, head of the CHD.
Currently, the city government operates six existing main health centers located in the barangays of Bilay, Dulag, Ampayon, Obrero, Libertad, and Baan. These centers provide primary medical care, maternal and child healthcare, disease prevention, family planning, dental services, diagnostic services, and pharmacy support. The centers will also provide transportation support for the patients.
“We aim to establish 14 main health centers across the city to ensure that all constituents are adequately served. We will be opening our seventh main health center later this year,” Makiling added.
Meanwhile, based on the 2024 census of population by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the population of Butuan City, being a highly urbanized city, is 385,530, hence, the need for a more community-based healthcare system and stronger referral linkages under the PCPNs.
The CHD has partnered with private hospitals in the city, including Manuel J. Santos Hospital and ACE Medical Center, as well as hospitals outside the region, such as Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC), Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), and Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC). This initiative also ensures that Butuanons have more healthcare options beyond Butuan Medical Center and greater access to quality and specialized healthcare services.
Makiling further shared that the initiative is supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP).
Patients are also being registered under YAKAP to help them sustain their healthcare needs and provide them with continued support. (MFC, PIA Caraga)