PhilHealth, NHIC Sign MOU for
Collaboration InitiativesMarch 15, 2011

TIES between the Philippines and South Korea just got tighter, especially where the betterment of the health insurance programs of both countries is concerned.

Last week, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and the National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC) of the Republic of Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that covers collaboration initiatives between the two institutions in the areas of research, exchange program, and annual conferences.

"This initiative bolsters our effort to make the Philippine social health insurance framework something that other countries can learn from," said PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Rey B. Aquino. He added that "...what makes this tie-up more relevant is that while the NHIC has achieved universal coverage status more than 20 years ago, it continues to learn from and extend its expertise to other SHI systems."

On the other hand, NHIC President Hyung Gun Chung noted that "the health insurance system of the Philippines have had significant progress in years" and that "the NHIC has a strong interest in the system." He is optimistic that the MOU signing will pave the way for a "stronger relationship between the two organizations."

The MOU calls for both parties to hold regular meetings for the planning of measures designed to improve health security services and the training of health security staffmembers. Both PhilHealth and the NHIC shall also promote and facilitate the exchange of experiences pertaining to health security but not limited to such areas as health security financing, payment reforms, insurer organization, quality of care, health security-related statistics, information technology implementation, adoption and security and health research. The agreement also aims to promote cooperative studies on the two countries' health insurance programs and the publication of study results in international journals.

Chung noted that it has been at least 62 years since both countries have established diplomatic relations and recognized the fact that the Chair of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) is a Filipino. He also appreciated PhilHealth's continued participation in the social health insurance course organized by NHIC in Seoul , South Korea. "I hope that the MOU will provide the foundation for a much more stable relationship," he said.

Aside from Chung, the NHIC delegation also included Kook Hyun Cho, Executive Director for Enrolment and Contributions; officers from the Health Insurance Policy Research Institute, namely, Deputy Director Chong Moon Lee, Manager Inseok Yang and Assistant Managers Eun Shil Hong and Jin Ho Kim; Nam Kyu Seo, Research fellow for Insurance Benefits; and Hyun Duck Kim, Assistant Manager for Long-term Care Management.

The group also visited the Ospital ng Makati and the Makati Medical Center for a first-hand observation of existing hospital systems, procedures and facilities. (Moppet B. Varlez, PAD)