Gov. Imee R. Marcos and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona signed a Memorandum of Agreement to create ‘One Ilocos Norte Inter Local Health Zone (ILHZ)’ last week, February 16, during the latter’s two- day visit in Ilocos Norte.
According to Sec. Ona, networking with the health units in the municipal level is very critical in providing basic public health services.
“Linkage is essential because it enables us to provide public (health) service to the people faster. Through the inter- local health zone, improved health status and coverage of public health intervention of the zone population is warranted , access by everyone in the zone to quality care is guaranteed, and the operations of the inter-local health services are efficiently implemented,” Ona pointed out.
ILHZ, as a form of inter-LGU cooperation is established in order to better protect the public or collective health of their community, assures the constituents access to a range of services necessary to meet health care needs of individuals, and to manage their limited resources for health more efficiently and equitably.
Gov. Imee R. Marcos said, ILHZ aims to integrate the hospitals of the province and other public health providers for a more efficient and effective delivery of health services.
“The provincial government and the LGUs, DOH, PhilHealth, Non-Government Organizations, the private sectors and the community are all involved in these undertaking so that accessible, equitable, and quality health services are delivered on time,” Gov. Marcos added.
Anchored in the Executive Order 205 which called for the creation of a National Planning Committee, the concept of Inter-Local Health Zones throughout the country was inspired by the post devolution experiences of some LGUs, showing success in forging partnership in the delivery of health services. (Florante A. Nicolas, PGIN- CMO)
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