LESSON 2
HEALTH SYSTEM
LEARNING GUIDE TIME
Lesson 2: Health System LEARNING RESOURCES
ALLOTMENT
Intended Learning Outcomes
Lesson Content:
2.1. define health system in the international, national, and local 1.5 hours
perspectives; Lesson 2
2.2. identify the goals and functions of a health system;
2.3. explain the relationship between the system building blocks
and health outcomes; and
2.4. familiarize themselves with the structure of the Philippine
health system
Self-Directed Activity/Laboratory Works 2.5 hours
Coordinate a visit to a barangay health center (BHC). Complete
the form below by conducting an interview with the BHC
Officials.
Baseline Concept Understanding 15 minutes
Learning Outcomes Assessment 15 minutes
Health System
Health System is “the combination of resources, organization, financing, and management
that culminate in the delivery of health services to the population (Roemer, 1991).
It refers to all the organizations, institutions, resources, and people whose primary
purpose is to improve health (WHO, 2000).
Goals and Functions of a Health System
(1) Improving the health of populations
(2) Improving the responsiveness of the health system
(3) Providing fair health financing
There are 4 vital health system functions:
Health Health
Health
Service Service Stewardship Financing
Provision Inputs
HEALTH FINANCING
Collecting
Revenues
Health System Pooling
Financing Financial Risk
Allocating
Revenue
Risk pooling
Financial risk pooling is a form of risk management which aims to
spread financial risks from an individual to all pool members. It has two main
models: the Bismarck model and the Beveridge model.
WHO Health System Framework
World Health Report 2000 defines the six building blocks and priorities
which are necessary in strengthening health systems and improving the
overall health outcomes.
Figure 2.1 WHO Health Systems Framework
(Figure by World Health Organization (2007), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0)
Philippine Health System
1979: Adoption of Primary Health Care Strategy (LOI 949) - promoted participatory management
of the local health care system.
1982: Reorganization of DOH (EO 851) - integrated the components of health care delivery into
its fields operations.
1988: The Generics Act (RA 6675) – ushered the writing of prescriptions using the generic
name of the drug.
1991: Local Government Code (RA 7160) – transferred the responsibility of providing health
service to local government units.
1995: National Health Insurance Act (RA 7875) – instituted a national health insurance
mechanism for financial protection with priority given to the poor.
1996: Health Sector Reform Agenda - ordered the major organizational restructuring of the
DOH to improve the way health care is delivered, regulated and financed.
2005: FOURmula One (F1) for Health – adopted an operational framework to undertake reforms
with speed, precision, and effective coordination and to improve the Philippine health
system.
2008: Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act (RA 9502) – promoted and
ensured access to affordable quality drugs and medicines for all.
2010: Kalusugang Pangkalahatan or Universal Health Care (AO 2010 – 0036) – provided
universal health coverage and access to quality health care for all Filipinos.
Figure 2.2 The Philippine Health System
(Figure by Alliance for Improving Health Outcomes, Inc. 2017)
Leadership and Governance
The Department of Health (DOH) is the lead agency for Philippine health care. According
to its mandate (E.O. No. 119, Sec. 3), the DOH is responsible for the
1) formulation and development of national policies, guidelines, standards, and
manual of operations for health services and programs;
2) issuance of rules and regulations, licenses, and accreditations;
3) Promulgation of national health standards, goals, priorities, and indicators; and
4) Development of special health programs and projects, and advocacy for
legislation on health policies and programs.
Directions of the Philippine Health Sector
(1) The Philippine Health Agenda (DOH Administrative Order 2016-0038)
(2) The Philippine Developmental Plan 2017-2022
(3) NEDA AmBisyon Natin 2040
(4) Sustainable Developmental Goals 2030
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
Health system combines resources, organization, financing and management to deliver health
services to the population. According to World Health Organization Report in 2000, health
system is defined as “all the organizations, institutions, resources, and people whose primary
purpose is to improve health.
The primary goals of the health system are improved health outcomes (attaining the best
average level of health care for the entire population by minimizing disparities), more
responsive health system (meeting the people’s expectations of and satisfaction from health
service delivery), and more equitable health care financing (protecting each individual from
financial risks).
The four functions of the health system are health services provision (for appropriate and cost-
effective health delivery); health service inputs (for generating human resources, technology,
and capital); health financing (by revenue collection, risk pooling, and strategic purchasing);
and stewardship and initiatives (to strengthen governance, accountability and
responsiveness).
A health system can be analyzed in its totality by using a framework consisting of six building
blocks, i.e., leadership and governance, health financing, health workforce, health products,
vaccines, and technologies, health information, and service delivery.
The Department of Health (DOH) is the lead agency for Philippine Health care. According to its
mandate (E.O. No. 119, Sec. 3), the DOH shall be responsible for the (1) formulation and
development of national health policies, guidelines, standards and manual of operations for
health services and programs; (2) issuance of rules and regulations, licenses and
accreditations; (3) promulgation of national health standards, goals, priorities and indicators;
and (4) development of special health programs and projects and advocacy for legislation on
health policies and programs.
