A STRATEGIC SOLUTION TO HEALTH INEQUITY AND FRAGMENTATION IN THE PHILIPPINES THROUGH PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT AND FAMILY PRACTICE

Introduction and Objective: The obstacle for the health sector is identifying ways to ameliorate primary health care. Attempting to reduce burdensome out-of-pocket spending for health services through the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). Unfortunately, NHIP acknowledges “this leads to higher benefit pay-out that cannot be sustained long term by the current premium rate” due to poverty and income inequality hence, continued support in this program is uncertain. The study aims to (i) Provide a background to the existing primary health care condition. (ii) To identify the health solution leading to health reform. Method: Both international and local literature was extensively reviewed on the areas of primary health care and delivery in the country. A systematic search using Online databases was done. Searches had no date restrictions. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were set. Results and Conclusions: The study reveals that current health system has poor coordination of care due to health fragmentation and decentralization among which is the lack of a gatekeeper. The Family Practice in the country needs to be addressed and further efforts must be initiated concerning gate keeping. People empowerment is the approach to solve poverty, income equality and poor health. Despite positive outlook in economic development, the country is challenged with poor health system and financial prejudice. Among the pillars of the people empowerment are multi-purpose cooperatives that could tap on the NHIP program with Family Physicians as gatekeepers.