The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) granted clearance for the conduct of the Universal Health Care Survey (UHC) of the Department of Health (DOH). The survey is in coordination with IDinsight Philippines, Inc, a third party contracted by DOH to conduct the survey.

The UHC Law or Republic Act No. (RA) 11223 mandates the whole of government approach to revitalize the Philippine healthcare system. Under this mandate, the DOH envisions making primary healthcare accessible to all Filipinos with assurance of timely access to quality healthcare regardless of financial status. In order to maximize the DOH’s ability to make evidence informed decisions, the UHC will be conducted in December 2023.

The survey aims to:
     1.    Measure and gain insights on how Filipino and facilities are experiencing the UHC rollout
     2.    Build strong frameworks and capacity within the DOH to manage the ongoing rollout with data informed approach
     3.    Contribute to a broader goal of improving equitable access to healthcare, free from financial risk, across the Philippines
     4.    Reinforce the use of equity lens in the approach of the DOH for UHC roll-out

Major data items to be collected in the survey are as follows:
     a.    Extent of the general populations’ awareness of UHC, including full range benefits and access
     b.    Enrollment to UHC
     c.    Change in the Service delivery process under the UHC
     d.    Increased financial risk protection for Filipino Household
     e.    Patients’ satisfaction with the quality of care
     f.    Support from Local Government Units in the implementation of UHC
     g.    Main barriers of facilities face in implementing health care provider networks and full range of benefits under UHC
     h.    Human resource and health care workers constraints in the UHC rollout

A total of PhP 50 million will be utilized to interview about 7,000 households and health workers and 1,400 facilities that will run in December 2023. The results of the study are expected to be released by April 2024.

The survey was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 10625 to:
     a.    Ensure sound design for data collection
     b.    Minimize the burden placed upon respondents
     c.    Effect economy in statistical data collection
     d.    Eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts and 
     e.    Achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins all households, health care workers and head of health facilities to participate in the survey by providing the truthful information.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division of the Standards Service with telephone numbers (02) 8376-1928 and (02) 8376-1931, and email address ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph.

CLAIRE DENNIS S. MAPA, PhD
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General