Health devolution: Response to Covid-19

POLITICAL Science students would have vivid lessons on public governance as they read besides newspaper opinions, commentaries and remarks from readers on the consequences of devolution following the enactment of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991.” This was signed into law on Oct. 10, 1991 and took effect on Jan. 1, 1992, 28 years ago. Studies on the devolution have highlighted the importance of “a well-planned and well-designed government policy to minimize, if not avert, unintended consequences; and mainstreaming of health policy reforms to ensure sustainability.” Suggestions include that there be “a closer look at the experience of local government units (LGUs) that were able to reap the benefits of health devolution and find out how the good practices can be replicated in other LGUs.” Practices that have proved negative to good intentions of the law should nonetheless be made known as lessons for governance. Especially due this pandemic the whole world confronts, it is high time there be a “review and assessment of the various health reforms and mechanisms that have been in place to draw lessons and insights that are useful for crafting future health policies.” <https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps1836.pdf>

One such commentary that drives to the point the consequences of health devolution as our country confronts Covid-19 comes from a seasoned multiawarded hospital administrator, Chief of Hospital 3 of the J.R. Borja General Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City, Dr. Ramon M. Nery, MD, FPSP, MHA, CEO 6. Commenting about “The Covid-19 pandemic: ‘An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure,’” he wrote: