Unilab Center for Health Policy concludes Iloilo leg of ‘Konsulta’ multi-sector dialogues

The Unilab Center for Health Policy (UCHP) gathered top local officials and health sector stakeholders in Iloilo to discuss ways to improve further the delivery of medical services under PhilHealth’s outpatient package, Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) Program. 

The Iloilo leg was the third stop -- after NCR and Pampanga -- of the UCHP-organized roundtable discussions throughout the country to ensure the smooth implementation of the Konsulta program. Mindanao will be the next venue of the multi-sector dialogues.

Strengthening UHC Through Konsulta program

Unilab Foundation’s UCHP serves as a dialogue partner and advocate for evidence-based health policies to achieve the Universal Health Care (UHC) mandate in coordination with the public and private sectors, healthcare providers, patient groups, and other stakeholders. Results of the dialogues are shared with the Department of Health and PhilHealth to supplement their own field studies.

The local government was well-represented in the Iloilo Konsulta dialogue, with Governor Arthur R. Defensor Jr. represented by the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Maria Socorro Quinon, and the municipal and city health officers exchanging inputs with the private sector representatives.

Ruben A. Basa, Program Director, Unilab Center for Health Policy, Unilab Foundation

UCHP Program Director John Basa highlighted in his opening remarks the importance of such dialogues in addressing UHC issues. The UCHP, he said, seeks to act as a local laboratory for UHC implementation, aiming to achieve UHC one LGU at a time. “Our work is rooted in research and evidence-based implementation.”

Basa added that Konsulta is a key program to achieve the objectives of the UHC law, which promises access to a comprehensive range of health services and benefits from promotive and preventive to curative and rehabilitative health services.  

At the said multistakeholder forum, he presented key findings from a UCHP-commissioned research that analyzed the country’s health expenditures over three decades.

 It revealed both progress and persistent gaps: health spending in the Philippines has grown 30-fold since 1991, yet out-of-pocket expenses remain alarmingly high, accounting for 44-45% of total expenditures—well above the health reform targets of 20%.

“While significant strides have been made, challenges remain especially in reducing out-of-pocket spending and increasing national health contributions. We at UCHP are committed to addressing these issues through research and collaboration. In 2025, UCHP will focus on more studies, including frameworks for selecting priority health conditions, analyzing LGU health spending, and assisting in PhilHealth’s Konsulta implementation,” Basa concluded.

Bridging gaps through strategic collaboration

Ruben A. Basa, Program Director, Unilab Center for Health Policy, Unilab Foundation

In his closing remarks, Dr. Leopoldo Vega, a member of the UCHP Advisory Board, emphasized the value of the roundtable discussion as a collaborative platform for addressing health financing challenges.

“The Unilab Center for Health Policy successfully established a platform for dialogue among stakeholders. Indeed, this is one of those moments we can confidently say we are making progress and creating a meaningful impact in the implementation of primary health care,” Dr. Vega said.

Among the highlights of the discussion was the unveiling of the Konsulta Manual of Operations (MOP), developed by UCHP principal researchers Dr. Mae Gonda and Dr. Shirley Domingo. The MOP provides clear guidance on critical aspects such as provider accreditation, member registration, benefits availment, and financial sustainability. The main goal of the MOP is to provide convenience to providers, end users, and administrators. This guidebook aims to ensure consistent implementation of Konsulta across various health facilities, addressing common hurdles like financial governance, service delivery, and information dissemination

“The Konsulta discussion has allowed us to address our needs and issues with respect to Konsulta Implementation. Both PhilHealth and the Department of Health are here to assist us.” Dr. Vega emphasized.

Shared vision for best quality health care for Filipinos

Throughout the activity in Iloilo, stakeholders reiterated the importance of fostering partnerships at all levels. The consensus was clear: the path to achieving UHC requires unified action.

Dr. Vega concluded, “It is clear that we all share a common objective: to provide the best possible health care for Filipinos.”

UCHP reaffirms its commitment to this mission. By leveraging evidence-based research, fostering dialogue among stakeholders, and addressing systemic challenges, UCHP stands at the forefront of advancing UHC in the Philippines. With concerted efforts and shared responsibility, the Konsulta program can fulfill its potential to transform the Philippine healthcare landscape.