[As Prepared]

[Greetings]

Thank you for inviting me to celebrate the launch of the Human Resources for Health project in the Philippines and to highlight the importance of investing in the health workforce to saves lives.

I am here on behalf of the Ambassador of the United States to the Philippines, the Honorable Sung Kim. I am representing the United States Agency for International Development, commonly known as USAID. USAID is the lead U.S. government agency for international development and disaster assistance. We promote democratic values and demonstrate democratic values and help advance a free, peaceful and prosperous world.

USAID has a long history of partnering with the Department of Health to ensure that all Filipinos can enjoy the quality health services that they need. To promote this shared goal, USAID and the Department of Health are embarking on a new partnership to build the capacity of the Filipino health workforce workers to respond to the country’s priority health needs. We are investing in the health workforce because strong and capable human resources for health improve health outcomes and save lives.

In the Philippines, there are about 30,000 doctors, nurses, dentists, medical technologists and midwives who serve the needs of 106 million Filipinos in urban and rural communities. These health workers, are inequitably distributed, and have widely divergent varying skills and motivation. The Department of Health recognizes the benefit of doing more to utilize the significant capabilities of these workers. To support this objective, USAID’s Human Resources for Health 2030, or HRH2030/Philippines, will partner with the DOH Department of Health to improve the skills, competencies and distribution of Philippine health workers at the primary care level.

HRH2030/Philippines will support the Department of Health to implement meaningful change across the four pillars prioritized under Fourmula oOne pPlus, including governance, regulation, and finance, and especially, service delivery. And because all health care is delivered through people, it is essential that the health workforce is as effective and engaged as possible. Fourmula one plus aims to strengthen the country’s capacity to address persistent health challenges.

In the Philippines, tuberculosis kills two to three Filipinos every hour. One out of every 11 adolescent women is already a mother. In light of these and other critical health needs, USAID, through HRH2030/Philippines, will work with the Department of Health as it develops, trains, manages and deploys its health personnel to ensure sufficient coverage for vital primary health care services. Through our work, the Philippines will be better able to address the health needs of all Filipinos no matter where they live.

USAID will also support the Department of Health’s advocacy to develop and adapt effective models for strengthening public sector stewardship and leadership on human resources for health. Through your commitment and our work together, we are confident that the Philippines will continue to build a strong and resilient health system.

When I arrived During the seven months that I have been here in the Philippines eight months ago, I have had the opportunity to visit a number of our health project sites and have seen firsthand the competence and dedication of Filipino health workers. Apart from being skilled and committed, they are also very caring and compassionate — traits that have made them renowned not only here in the country, but worldwide.

A critical piece of the HRH program is to improve the care and experience of equation is the Filipino people who go to health centers to access healthcare. Patients now demand — and rightfully so — to receive excellent quality health care from health centers and hospitals. This project will look closely into improving improve patient experience in order to encourage them to continue seeking care to keep themselves and their families healthy.

USAID reiterates its support to the Philippine government as we seek ways to work together to establish and sustain more effective changes toward providing quality health services that benefit all Filipinos.

In closing, I would like to thank you for partnering with USAID, both in our long history of work together and in the new level of work we have ahead of us. Our partnership brings us closer to achieving a healthier, more stable and prosperous Philippines.

Maraming salamat po!