ASOG hosts lecture-workshop on Universal Health Care in partnership with AFP

On 7 March 2024, the Ateneo School of Government in partnership with the Multi-Sectoral Advisory Board (MSAB) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Health Service Command (HSC), for which the School is a member, hosted a lecture workshop on “Orientation to the Philippine Government’s Universal Health Care Program” at the AFPHSC Command Conference Room, Camp Colonel Victoriano Luna, Quezon City.

The lecture workshop seeks to foster collaboration across sectors and build trust among AFP officers in maintaining credibility, particularly in public health and healthcare service matters. It aims to enhance the implementation of UHC programs for efficiency and align the roles of budget and supply officers in AFP healthcare initiatives. Dr Mario Villaverde, Former DOH Undersecretary and Core Faculty Member and Program Director of the Doctors to the Barrio-Health Governance Track of the Masters’ in Public Management Program, at the Ateneo School of Government, was the main speaker in the session. 

The session focused on providing a brief background on the Universal Health Care Program of the Philippine Government to the AFP’s Command personnel within the Health Service Command. Joining the lecture workshop was Dr Philip Arnold P Tuano, Dean of the Ateneo School of Government, who gave the opening remarks and

Dr Mario Villaverde emphasized the importance of expanding access to primary care services and enhancing their quality. He also stressed the need to strengthen care coordination and referral mechanisms among various healthcare providers. Around 20 medical officers of the AFP HSC attended the workshop.