News
GSK Foundation Turns Over Family Health and Wellness Program to PhilHealth - December 5, 2007
GlaxoSmithKline Foundation, Inc. recently turned over to PhilHealth the Family Health and Wellness Program after a three-year partnership which was aimed at improving the level of awareness of residents in at least 11 project sites nationwide and encouraging them to avail themselves of the outpatient diagnostic benefits at PhilHealth-accredited rural health units and health centers. PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Lorna O. Fajardo (right) accepts the symbolic lamp from Atty. Mailyn Ocampo, Executive Director of GSKF during ceremonies held at the GSK Office in Makati City.
In her speech, Fajardo said that PhilHealth looks forward to "a chance to fasttrack it (FHWP), institutionalize it and see the whole country implementing it." Referring to the symbolic lamp, Fajardo assured GSKF and the program partners from various local government units that "PhilHealth will not snuff out; we'll keep it burning and it's a big challenge ahead. We will do extra work to spread out the project that we did." She also thanked GSKF for "opening the eyes of Filipinos that this strategy is good."
PhilHealth Vice President for the National Capital Region Rodolfo M. Balog acknowledged GSK Philippines as the first to go into private sponsorship for PhilHealth to strengthen local efforts to enroll indigent families into the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). "Through the health education package, the LGUs will eventually see the importance of the PhilHealth program," he said.
PhilHealth and GSKF also handed out Plaques of Appreciation to the outstanding LGU partners of the program. Dr. Helen Tobias, PhilHealth Vigan Service Office Head (right) accepts the trophy from PhilHealth Senior Vice President for Risk Management and Actuarial Services Octavino Q. Esguerra in behalf of Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur. Also in photo are (L-R): Noel R. Isberto, former Executive Director of GSKF, Balog, Ocampo and Fajardo.
Dr. Basilida Imboy of Surigao del Norte relates her LGU's experience with the FHWP, emphasizing that the health education component has generated at least 80 attendees for each of their information and education sessions on specific diseases. She also noted an increase in the utilization of the outpatient diagnostic benefits. She also announced that a Congressman from their area is eyeing a 20,000 enrolment under the Sponsored Program soon.
Dennis Romerick G. Tuazon, GSKF Projects Officer presented the results of the FHWP, highlighting the strides made by the program in the area of health education, OPB monitoring and LGU coordination. In particular he presented the post-survey results done among the community residents in contrast to the baseline figures in 2005 which showcased the impact of the health education materials on the overall awareness levels of the respondents.