IT all started with the development of a short proposal for a module writing course at the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, organized for the Social Health Insurance Academy in 2013. The goal was to come up with a module on the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) to enlighten midwifery students on the principles of social health insurance (SHI) for them to better understand and appreciate the NHIP early on in their lives.
The proposal eventually became a pilot project for the SHIA, and was presented to and approved by the management of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). By April 24, 2014, it was formally recognized through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with Sultan Kudarat Educational Institution (SKEI).
Now it is a reality. On the occasion of PhilHealth’s 22nd Anniversary, the SKEI will be formally recognized for its efforts to incorporate the SHI Module in the Primary Health Care 1 or 2 Subject of the Midwifery Course, in the Community Health Nursing Subject under the Nursing Course, and as a special subject for Education classes. The pilot teaching and testing sessions were done in SKEI’s three (3) colleges in the second half of 2016, and this year, it will be included as a regular subject of Midwifery, Nursing and Education classes.
The SKEI is one of the first schools that offered Midwifery and Nursing courses in Tacurong City, and is the first higher education institution that has agreed to include the SHI Module in its curricula. Established in 1978, the SKEI is a non-sectarian, private educational institution that offers academic programs on Business Administration, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Nursing, and Midwifery, and various short courses in collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
“This is the first time that a PhilHealth module is formally institutionalized in the tertiary level curricula in the Philippines. This move is an indication of the formal entry of PhilHealth into the tertiary educational system in the country, in a bid to start NHIP advocacy really early,” said Ramon F. Aristoza Jr.,PhilHealth’s Acting President and CEO.
Since the Midwifery and Nursing students are considered potential advocates of SHI, and will comprise the future generation of professionals equipped with knowledge on health care financing, social solidarity and all its attendant values and principles, the PhilHealth Chief emphasized that “the students will definitely impact on the communities where they will be immersing in, and their learning will be an empowering tool in the practice of their professions.” With the entry of a learning module on SHI in the academic curriculum, Aristoza is hopeful that the students will be instrumental in supporting and sustaining the universal health care cause. He also encouraged other Midwifery and Nursing schools in other parts of the country to implement the same.
Likewise, Aristoza expressed optimism that the future midwives, nurses and educators will be of great help in cascading the knowledge and importance of being a PhilHealth member to the communities they serve. “There is no better time to start educating our publics about the concepts of SHI than now – and reaching out to the future educators and health care providers this early will be a very important investment for PhilHealth in the area of information, education and communication,” he said. (END) (Emelita M. Retuta)
