SOCIAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN BATANES
By: Philippine Information Agency - Basco, Batanes

The program on making Social Health Insurance work and benefit vulnerable groups was launched in the province on May 18, 2002 by Mr. Klaus Grimm, OIC of ARBEITERWOHLFAHRT (German for labor organization and welfare) and Dr. Merce
Tuano, Executive Director of Health Development. Congressman Butch Abad and Governor Gato graced the launching at the HRTC and witnessed by DOH family and representatives from NGOs, local government, PNB, DWBT, NCIP, DOST, PIA, RI, congressional office other agencies.

Congressman Abad said that the Social Health Insurance has become a reality in Batanes though the Batanes General Hospital is the receiving end of patients and an institution receiving end of donations, it can not provide all patients' needs. Abad added, that HEALTH DEV may not exactly answer health problems, but certainly can alleviate health problems.

The congressman cited Ivatan patients risking long travel from Batanes to Manila, however, don't get their moneys worth. How many Ivatans had died few days after arrival in Manila? Abad stressed that there should be aggressive information campaign to understand HEALTH DEVELOPMENT more so that social programs is attached. It is equally important to develop the cooperation of indigenous people, of the community by creating an interdependence of health institute and the community.

He further said that if the community does not take care of the people and programs for their welfare, then health care delivery may not be benefited to the fullest.

Mr. Klaus Grimm in his message said Social Health Insurance greatly helps low income German societies. It offers counseling services and provides services to the handicapped and the aged group. It has 600,000 paying members with 130,000 staff. The Social Health Insurance program he said provides activities among indigenous people and programs that meet the needs of the poorest in the society to improve living conditions, social security system to eventually become owners of the health institute.

Thru the implementation of a health system, the community shall be involved in programs for economic development and quality health programs.

Governor Vicente S. Gato's acceptance and commitment expressed the uniqueness of the program in the province being the first of its kind here. He was gratified by the assurance that Batanes gets technical assistance and services for the people of Batanes. The perfect attendance of mayors is an indication of overwhelming support for HEALTH DEV.

Dr. Merce Tuano of HEALTH DEV remarked that we have come to a fruitful partnership. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) were signed by Mr. Grimm, Cong. Abad, Gov. Gato, HEALTH DEV Institute and the 6 municipal mayors.

Concluding statement from Dr. Epifanio Pagalilauan, Batanes General Hospital Chief, supports that this program will benefit the vulnerable group (the underserved group by other health insurances) of which this kind of scheme is suited to the Ivatans. When this finally materializes healthy people would feel that they are first class citizens of Batanes.

BATANES HEALTH DEV partnership is marked for 10 years and by that time hopefully we would be capable of independent management.