Universal Health Care Implementers Project (UHCIP)

I. Background/Description

In order to bridge the gaps in the Philippine health system and to reduce barriers in accessing
health care services especially among marginalized communities, the Aquino administration
launched its Health Agenda called Universal Health Care (UHC), also referred to as Kalusugan
Pangkalahatan (KP), in 2010. Universal Health Care is defined as the “provision to every
Filipino of the highest possible quality of health care that is accessible, efficient, equitably
distributed, adequately funded, fairly financed, and appropriately used by an informed and
empowered public”. Moreover, while the Philippines is on target for most of its Millennium
Development Goals (MDG), it is lagging behind in reducing maternal and infant mortality.
Therefore, strengthening of public health efforts towards the attainment of UHC and MDGs must
be done.

In line with this, the Department of Health (DOH) launched High-Impact Five (Hi-5) last June
2015 which aims to produce major improvements in health outcomes and the highest impact
among the vulnerable population. The Hi-5 strategies focuses on five (5) critical UHC
interventions, namely: reduction of infant mortality rate; lowering under-five mortality rate;
reducing maternal mortality rate; halting Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS); and increasing the service delivery networks in poor
communities. National implementation of the Hi-5 activities involves intensifying and
synchronizing regional operations through a convergence approach in priority poverty program
areas. Thus, the Universal Health Care Implementers Project (UHCIP) was conceptualized to
accelerate the attainment of UHC and Hi-5 strategies. Currently, the project deploys physicians
who focus on localization of UHC policies and sustainable health financing in order to protect
marginalized communities from health financial risks.

II. Objectives

The Universal Health Care Implementers (UHCI) Project aims to:

a. Improve local health systems that will support the country’s attainment of UHC or “Kalusugan
Pangkalahatan;”

b. Provide quality service delivery to marginalized population of the country to accelerate the
attainment of Universal Health Care (UHC); and

c. Foster independence in the community’s health care delivery system.

III. Functions of UHC Implementers

a. Develops local health systems / programs / projects in the locality based on the UHC-HI5
Strategy;

b. Manages the mobilization of resources and projects related to UHC-HI-5 program

implementation in the RHU;

c. Develops / conducts capability building interventions / initiatives / packages for health

workers and other stakeholders in the local government unit relative to UHC-HI5;

d. Develops and implements advocacy projects and strategies for UHC-HI5 programs;

e. Conducts regular medical consultations relative to achieving health objectives of the UHC-HI5
strategy;

f. Manages UHC-HI5 data such as reporting, recording and analysis of data; and

g. Conducts epidemiology investigation whenever necessary.

IV. Minimum Qualification Standards

Education: Doctor of Medicine

V. Target Population/Client

a. (274) 5th and (39) 6th class municipalities

b. National Government Priority Areas

- 44 Focus Geographical Areas (FGA) with 1,045 Municipalities

- Accelerated and Sustainable Anti-Poverty (ASAP) municipalities
- Whole Nation Initiative (WNI) municipalities
- Areas with Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB) programs
- Geographic location and socio-economic classification of the area (GIDA, ICC/IP areas, national
priority areas for poverty reduction)

c. LGU Hospitals (Level 1 or 2)

VI. Salaries and Benefits

 Salary- 56,000.00/month
 GSIS- 500.00/year
  PHIC- 300.00/month

VII. Policies and Laws

Department Memorandum No. 2015-0383

VIII. Program Accomplishments/Status

As of May 2016, a total of 75 UHC implementers were deployed nationwide.

IX. Updates
Starting FY 2017, the minimum qualification standard for UHC Implementers assistants will be
licensed in any Health Related Profession preferably graduate of Doctor of Medicine. Moreover,
salary grade of UHC implementers will be adjusted from SG 24 to SG 15.

X. Program Coordinator Contact Information

Ms. Janette S. Cruz

HRMO III, HHRDB-DOH
Tel No. 02-743-1776, or 02-651-7800 local 4227