Final report : end-of-project evaluation of the Philippines health finance development project

HFDP played a catalytic role in supporting the Department of Health's (DOH) effort to reform the country's health sector. The project supported: (1) research that established a process of informed health policy formulation and decisionmaking; (2) studies, reports, and demonstration projects that added valuable information about the country's health system and examined policy options and their implications; (3) training programs, site visits, the use of numerous local consultants, helping to create a local community of knowledgeable and experienced experts on health care issues; (4) workshops, seminars, and conferences, creating a multisectoral forum for policy dialogue and reform; and, while not part of its mandate, (5) the provision of information and mechanisms needed by the Government of the Philippines and others to launch and continue the implementation effort. The next few years may prove as pivotal in shaping the Philippine health care system as the last few years have been in launching a new direction. While the passing of the National Health Insurance Law has been a significant accomplishment, it is not yet clear how its financial powers will be used to shape the health care system of the future. The role of DOH is changing, but it is still exploring how best to use its regulatory powers, manage retained hospitals, support and influence decentralized health services, and mobilize the resources of the private health sector. It will need to be thoughtful and aggressive in assuming its new responsibilities, and to develop a clear vision of its new role and a strategic plan to make that role a reality. DOH will also need to follow through on reengineering its organization so that it can address its new priorities effectively by assigning capable people with clear and unambiguous responsibility to each major task, especially financing policy, managing retained hospitals, promoting primary care and prevention, and supporting the devolution of health services. While much of this can be accomplished through the DOH's own human and financial resources, there will at times be need to seek donor assistance to provide external technical expertise, facilitate the policy fora, and provide training to officials in DOH, local government, and managers throughout the health system. (Author abstract, modified)