Ormoc City Forges Strategic Partnership to Enhance Healthcare in Remote Communities
In a significant move to address healthcare disparities, the Ormoc City Government has entered into a landmark partnership with the Unilab Foundation through its research arm, the Unilab Center for Health Policy (UCHP). This collaboration, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, aims to develop and implement a Universal Health Care (UHC)-aligned Primary Care Service Delivery Framework specifically designed for Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA).
Addressing Healthcare Gaps in Hard-to-Reach Areas
GIDA communities, which include remote, conflict-affected, or underserved regions, often face substantial barriers to accessing basic health services due to geographic isolation, socioeconomic challenges, and infrastructural limitations. These areas typically experience higher health risks and limited access to timely, quality care, exacerbating public health issues.
Ormoc City, located in the western part of Leyte province and serving as a major economic hub in Eastern Visayas, was selected as a pilot site for this initiative. While the city itself has seen steady development, it also supports nearby rural and hard-to-reach barangays, making it an ideal location to test innovative healthcare approaches that could be scaled nationwide.
Key Objectives of the Partnership
Under the agreement, the partners will focus on several critical areas to strengthen the local healthcare system:
- Conducting a validated local situation analysis of pilot GIDA communities, including geo-tagged resource maps and baseline indicators.
- Developing and formally adopting a UHC-aligned Primary Care Service Delivery Framework.
- Designing and piloting technology-enabled operational models, such as mobile diagnostics and telemedicine.
- Institutionalizing a collaboration model between the local government unit (LGU) and hospitals to improve referrals and community-facing primary care services.
UCHP will work closely with Ormoc City to upskill frontline health workers and community-based personnel by providing access to modern tools, programs, and partnerships. Additionally, the initiative will advocate for policies that address gaps in health system readiness and promote stronger public-private collaborations.
Stakeholder Commitment and Collaboration
Atty. Jose Maria A. Ochave, executive director of Unilab Foundation, emphasized the shared commitment to improving access to quality primary care in underserved areas. "We look forward to working closely with the Ormoc City government and our partners to support data-driven planning, innovative care models, and stronger collaboration across the local health system," Ochave stated. "Through this collaboration, we hope to help build a sustainable framework that improves access, strengthens referral systems, and supports better health outcomes for communities in GIDA areas."
Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez expressed gratitude for being chosen as a pilot site, highlighting the partnership's potential impact. "I thank you for thinking of Ormoc. You could have chosen any other place in the Philippines given how wide your reach is, but you have chosen Ormoc and we are blessed and we are very thankful for this partnership," the mayor said.
Private Sector Involvement and Future Prospects
The partnership also includes Gatchalian Medical Center, a private hospital in Ormoc City that is part of the Unilab-led Mount Grace Group of Hospitals. The center will play a key role in enabling private hospital participation and strengthening referral networks within the local health system.
Atty. Garney Candelaria, chairman of Gatchalian Medical Center, outlined the hospital's commitment: "We will support efforts to improve access to primary healthcare by equipping barangay health stations with basic equipment for telehealth and referrals, ensuring connectivity in remote areas, and providing training for healthcare workers and administrators. We also look forward to co-developing systems, protocols, and referral pathways that will help ensure seamless movement of patients across primary, secondary, and tertiary care."
UCHP continues to pursue initiatives that boost the efficient implementation of the Universal Health Care Law, working in coordination with both national and local government units. Recently, the health think tank partnered with the Department of Budget and Management to enhance the alignment and effectiveness of local government health spending, furthering efforts to build a more integrated, resilient, and equitable healthcare system.
