“KALUSUGAN Pangkalahatan”, the Department of Health’s (DOH) program aimed at improving medical care for everybody, is in full swing with various projects targeted to benefit those who have the least access to health services.

“The DOH is implementing the ‘Kalusugan Pangkalahatan’ to provide healthcare to the poorest of the poor,” said Dr. George P. Calugay, the Pangasinan Health Team Leader for the Center for Health Development of the DOH.

Calugay, speaking during the KBP Forum, said the DOH is working to achieve the program’s objective by widening health insurance coverage and improvement of public health facilities.

First component is the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) seeking the reduction of deaths among newly-born and children under five years old, reduction of maternal deaths, and elimination of infectious diseases and avoidance of unhealthy lifestyle practices.

Expansion of health insurance coverage under PhilHealth comes next with the sponsorship of families that are earning no more than P3,500 a month.

Local government units, non-government organizations and private individuals are helping the DOH achieve universal insurance coverage, Calugay said.

The upgrading of health facilities such as district hospitals, rural health units and lying-in units are also being undertaken, such as the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan, the provincial hospital in San Carlos City, and the construction of rehabilitation centers around the province.

Calugay also noted that the provincial government has assembled community health teams, which are now conducting house-to-house medical services, especially in poor communities.

Deaths from malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS, HIV and other infectious diseases are also being addressed including non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, he added. (PIA-Pangasinan/RRF)

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