FEDERALISM AND THE HEALTH SECTOR
Federalism world wide has been a big factor TO the improvement of the health of citizens, the development and upgrading of medical practice as well as the improvement of governmental health policies.
Federalism’s effect on the economy will help change the migratory patterns of our health professionals - nurses, radiologists and other technicians and doctors. OFWs in the health sector will start opting to go back to the Philippines when the economy shows signs of picking up.
Federal governments will be able to more closely focus on their respective state needs including those that will have to do with health financing, regulations as well as administration and then there will be increased focus on people’s needs rather than for lining up greedy pockets. Surely more hospitals will be built, and more medically-inclined health subjects or courses will be introduced into the academic system.
Federalism will help in the adaption of green and environment-friendly policies resulting in increased awareness to hygienic responsibility. The importance of kalinisan will be emphasized and in the federalism context, cheaper to circulate for public awareness.
But to take advantage of Federalism’s benefits, executive power must be distributed to the regions/states properly. Likewise, variations in federalism must be expected per region or state. Of course, magiging iba ang needs ng Igorot sa needs ng Bisaya o ng Muslim o ng Davaoenan. So each region will have it’s own version or uniqueness of Federalism. For instance, in one state or region, emphasis might be given on water supply safety. In another region, on child or women welfare, and yet in another region, on vaccination, etc. Each state will have a different approach and priorities when it comes to local health issues.
Benefits to health cannot be expected immediately. As the first few years, people will still be waking up to its benefits; thus, a lot of distortion is to be expected in the onset. Initially, when people are still endeavouring to create their own state anthem, state flag, and other symbols to make them unique, they will think, “o Federalism na, what now?” During the first years, federal health administration will thus rely heavily on a central coordinating committee and may adapt unitary policies which they would amend in the future when they realize the need for it. Thus, monitoring changes during the early years should become Government Policy and priority.
When states or regions have become fully adapted, they will create policies that will effectively detect and solve local health issues. For sure, Federal States will blame the central health department and Duterte for errors concerning their adjustment and adoptation. But with years progressing, Unitary policies will become increasingly irrelevant to the Federal State. And people will start thanking Duterte.