MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 53, June 04, 2024 ]
ADOPTING THE NATIONAL OBJECTIVES FOR HEALTH 2023-2028 AND DIRECTING THE IMPLEMENTATION THEREOF
WHEREAS, Section 15, Article II of the Constitution declares it a policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them;
WHEREAS, Section 11, Article XIII of the Constitution mandates the State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost;
WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) No. 11223 or the "Universal Health Care Act" mandates the State to adopt, among others: (a) framework that fosters a whole-of-system, whole-of-government, and whole-of-society approach in the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of health policies, programs and plans; and (b) a people-oriented approach for the delivery of health services that is centered on people's needs, and well-being, and cognizant of the differences in culture, values, and beliefs;
WHEREAS, Section 19 of RA No. 11223 further provides that the Department of Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and local government units (LGUs) shall endeavor to integrate health systems into province-wide and city-wide health systems;
WHEREAS, the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, anchored an AmBisyon Nation 2040 which reflects the collective long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people, highlights the promotion of good health as one of the key strategies towards economic and social transformation;
WHEREAS, consistent with the abovementioned State policies, and pursuant to DOH's mandate as the lead agency responsible to set the country's policy direction on health, the National Objectives for Health (NOH) 2023-2028 was formulated to serve as the country's medium-term strategy for strengthening the country's health sector; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative for all national government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), and LGUs to support and cooperate towards the successful implementation of the NOH 2023-2028;
NOW, THEREFORE, the following are hereby ordered:
The NOH 2023-2028, which outlines the 8-Point Action Agenda for the development of the Philippine health sector, is hereby adopted.1aшphi1
As the lead agency in-charge of formulating and adopting policies and programs for health, the DOH, in coordination with the DILG, is hereby directed to:
a. Formulate and disseminate plans and guidelines that will ensure that all stakeholders have comprehensive understanding of the NOH 2023-2028;
b. Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework for the implementation of the 8-Point Action Agenda;
c. Facilitate capacity-building programs and workshops for LGUs and relevant stakeholders;
d. Coordinate and collaborate with the private sector, civil society organizations, and international bodies;
e. Ensure a participatory approach by involving communities, beneficiaries, and such other relevant stakeholders; and
f. Ensure that strategies under the NOH 2023-2028 are integrated, as applicable, in the annual operations plans of LGUs.
In accordance with their respective mandates, all concerned agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including GOCCs, are hereby directed, and all LGUs are hereby encouraged, to undertake efforts in support of the implementation of the NOH 2023-2028.
The DOH, in coordination with the Presidential Communications Office, is hereby directed to disseminate an official copy of the NOH 2023-2028 to all concerned government agencies and offices.
This Circular shall take effect immediately.
DONE, in the City of Manila, this 4th day of June, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Four.
By authority of the President:
(Sgd.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Executive Secretary
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