Japan, South Korea, US forge partnership to boost BARMM’s health outcomes
by BusinessMirror, https://www.facebook.com/, https://www.facebook.com/BusinessMirror/ · BusinessMirror- BusinessMirror
- October 3, 2024
- 3 minute read
DEVELOPMENT agencies of Japan, South Korea and United States have partnered to boost health outcomes and advance Universal Health Care in the Bangsamoro Region.
They have committed to fund over five years P1.6 billion, or some $29 million, in addition to existing forms of assistance which the three development agencies have provided and will continue to extend to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)—deemed by the agencies as a “significant step toward strengthening health care in the Philippines.”
Under their Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) signed on September 27, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will work closely with BARMM’s Ministry of Health (MOH), the Department of Health (DOH), local communities, and other key stakeholders to improve health-information systems; raise public-health financing; promote good public-health practices; expand quality health-care services; as well as improve access to essential medicines, facilities, and equipment.
The agencies have pledged to effectively and innovatively share their expertise and resources to advance BARMM’s cross-cutting health-system reforms and initiatives.
In his keynote, Amb. Kazuya Endo highlighted the collaboration’s significance among the three countries to promote a more resilient and efficient regional health-care system accessible within BARMM’s community and vulnerable groups.
Further, Endo said Japan will focus on improving maternal- and newborn-health services, as well as pursue the region’s improved nutrition. These goals, he shared, are aligned with his country’s long commitment to human security and peace-making efforts within BARMM, and promotes the “Women, Peace and Security” agenda.
“Together with our partners, we aim to promote a more resilient and efficient regional health-care system accessible to the community and the vulnerable groups within the region,” the ambassador remarked at the signing ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center. “Our efforts toward a more inclusive and responsive health system reflects Japan’s long-standing commitment to human security and peace-making efforts within the BARMM.”
“[South] Korea’s experience rising from the ashes of war to prosperity drives our commitment to supporting peace and development, reflected in our 30-percent increase in official development assistance, and a 48-percent boost in [our agency’s] budget for 2024,” Koica vice president Kim Dong-ho remarked. “Through this unprecedented partnership, Koica will play a crucial role in delivering vital maternal- and child-health services, strengthening health systems, and improving emergency readiness.”
“Through this partnership, we envision a future where mothers and their children are in the care of highly capable professionals; where [tuberculosis] patients receive treatment; where young adults receive culturally sensitive reproductive-health services; and where families are protected from infectious diseases and pandemic threats,” Amb. MaryKay Carlson of the US averred.
This cooperation marked the first partnership in health in the Asia-Pacific Region among the development agencies of the governments of Japan, South Korea (Republic of Korea), and the US. Minister Sang Seung-Man of the Embassy of South Korea also witnessed the signing.
Areas of assignments
EACH agency will have a unique focus and expand their priority health programs in BARMM. Jica will advance maternal and newborn health and nutrition, bolster community health services, aid listing in facility-based deliveries under the Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth), and facilitate contribution to gender mainstreaming.
Meanwhile, Koica will enhance sustainable health financing through PhilHealth, provide culturally sensitive maternal care, upgrade facilities and equipment, and boost emergency preparedness with the DOH-certified Field Epidemiology Training Program.
For its part, USAID will strengthen health systems, enhance the delivery of family planning, adolescent reproductive health and tuberculosis programs, while improving preparedness and response to emerging health threats.
“This collaboration reinforces the shared journey of DOH, BARMM-MOH, USAID, Jica and Koica toward our vision of Universal Health Care and the [United Nations’] Sustainable Development Goals for health—including quality service delivery, health-care financing, health governance and health regulations,” Health secretary Dr. Teodoro Herbosa added.
“The [MOC is a call to action and a commitment to harness our organizations’ synergy] to create a healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous Bangsamoro, with an end in mind to build a stronger Philippines,” implied Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr, who is BARMM’s health minister. “By working together, we can amplify our [unified] action, enhance our efficiency, and ensure every peso, dollar, won, and yen invested shall translate to tangible improvements in people’s health and quality of life.”
Also, the strategic partnership will more effectively provide training and aid to local governments and communities in expanding health outreach to vulnerable populations, laying the foundation for BARMM’s long-term stability and prosperity.
Efforts of the three agencies also support the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on “Women, Peace, and Security.”
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