MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) said it is working on identifying domestic funding for health programs on HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.
In a statement on Wednesday, February 12, the DOH said it plans to increase domestic health financing through a transition and public financial management (PFM) plan. This means that the department will rely largely on its own budget, PhilHealth reimbursements, as well as grants, loans, and investments sourced from both local government units (LGUs) and the private sector.
The DOH said this new plan will encourage a more “localized” health program implementation, noting that it will support LGUs in the process.
“It is clear that governments including ours must recognize our own priorities and take more responsibility for financing these priorities in our national health budgets, lessening our dependence on international funding cycles and external decisions and protocols,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a statement on Wednesday, February 12.
“We, as a country, must find ways to source funds that international partners have previously funded.”
This comes after newly-minted United States President Donald Trump ordered a spending freeze on foreign assistance, stalling billions of dollars in food, health, and other programs. The spending freeze is supposed to last 90 days pending a review of efficiencies and consistency with Trump’s foreign policy.
On Wednesday, the Philippines acknowledged the challenges posed by the decline in foreign funding.
Some of the country’s programs are supported by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) — where the US is the largest contributor.
According to the Global Fund, it has allocated $168.06 million across its programs in the Philippines from 2023 to 2025. The DOH said the country has been able to access second-line drugs (SLDs), antiretroviral therapy (ART), and human resources for health (HRH), among others, through the GFATM.
Most or 80.94% ($136.02 million) of the Global Fund’s grants in the country covered programs for tuberculosis. The Philippines is among the top five countries that account for the world’s tuberculosis cases.
Meanwhile, the Global Fund has been working with the government in its goal to end malaria in the country by 2030 through community-based programs.
Since Trump froze foreign aid, several civil society organizations have had to put their programs to a halt. This includes HIV/AIDS programs of LGBTQIA+ organizations that have largely been filling the gap for the health needs of those in the community.
The DOH is coordinating with the Philippine Country Coordinating Mechanism for the Global Fund and said they were already able to round up a list of alternative sources of funding aside from foreign assistance.
To aid with its Transition and PFM plan, the DOH eyes on streamlining its procurement and supply chain process and digitalizing its financial management systems, among others. – with Reuters/Rappler.com