RECOGNIZING EFFECTIVE HEALTH PROGRAMS

Kaya Natin!, a non-partisan, multi-sectoral movement committed to good governance and ethical leadership recently launched the nationwide search dubbed “Champions for Health Governance Awards,” an initiative recognizing top performing Local Government Units (LGUs) for excellent and efficient implementation of their local health programs.

The search which is being held in partnership with Merck Sharp & Dohme Philippines (MSD), the Ateneo School of Government, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Health, is open to all health programs conducted on the municipal and city levels. Programs must be running for at least two years. The winning LGUs will receive a cash grant to continue their outstanding initiatives on health.

LGUs will be evaluated and screened based on criteria such as good governance (local leadership, transparency and accountability) and public health governance (effectiveness, innovation, health resource management and community engagement). Their respective health programs will also be assessed based on how these have worked towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs aim to reduce child mortality rates, improve maternal health, and reduce incidences of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.

During the launch, Ifugao Rep. and Kaya Natin! champion Teddy Baguilat discussed the vital role of the LGU in providing the political will necessary to enact key health policies, and help the country achieve the MDGs.

“The key to achieving the Millennium Development Goals are the local government units. Who pays for the salaries of the health workers and midwives? Who leads rural health programs? Who galvanizes the youth in order to actively participate in programs for public health? It is the local government units,” says Baguilat.

Meanwhile, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines executive director and Kaya Natin! champion Sonia Lorenzo emphasized the importance of making public health a main concern. “The challenge for elected officials is to understand the dynamics of public health in order to lead the community,” she stresses.

For MSD in the Philippines, one of Kaya Natin’s major partners, public and private initiatives such as the Champions for Health Governance Awards are the key to ensuring that our public health system will be prepared to face future challenges.

“The local chief executives working with their local health boards have a critical role to play in improving the health and wellbeing of the people in the community,” says Karen Alparce-Villanueva, External Affairs and Commercial Innovation director for MSD Philippines.

Harvey Keh, director for Youth Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship of the Ateneo School of Government, and one of the key movers for Kaya Natin!, believes that the program is a good opportunity to create awareness on the importance of good governance in delivering quality healthcare.

“The Champions for Health Governance Awards aims to acknowledge local government units that have made the provision of quality healthcare as a priority for their constituents. We also hope that these awards would inspire other mayors to also develop innovative and responsive health care programs in their respective local government units,” Keh says.

He believes that good governance must not only speak about leaders who are honest or corrupt and engaged in illegal activities.

“A leader should also be able to develop key programs and activities that will address the needs of their constituency. We believe that good governance should translate into better healthcare for every Filipino,” he says.

The Champions for Health Governance Awards is hoping to ensure that the achievements and best practices in local health programs are not only identified and adopted locally, but are shared and spread across the country.

Deadline for submission of entries is on March 15. Interested LGUs may visit www.healthgovernance.weebly.com or call Wade Eusores at (02) 990-3282.