Dinalupihan town in Bataan launched on Tuesday a Primary Care Provider Network (PCPN).
It connects public and/or private healthcare providers that offer primary care services and serves as a navigator and coordinator to guide patients’ decision-making for cost efficient and appropriate level of care.
In her message, Mayor Maria Angela Garcia said the launching is proof that the public and private sector as well as volunteers can work together in delivering programs on health for the general welfare of citizens.
“We are now launching our PCPN to show that altogether we can rise from this pandemic and we can really pool together our resources so that we can really help each and every Filipino, each and every Bataeño and Dinalupiheño in our programs on health in this province and in this municipality,” she emphasized.
The establishment of PCPN will also help the locality, especially rural health units (RHUs) locate, treat, and help patients as it will serve as a navigator and gatekeeper for health care needs of tuberculosis (TB) patients.
With the establishment of PCPN in the municipality, Garcia said RHUs and barangay health workers will be responding more proactively in finding TB cases and it will empower the frontline services.
For her part, United States Agency for International Development through Tuberculosis Platforms (USAID TB Platforms) Project Chief of Party Marianne Calnan said they will continue to support the municipality in implementing programs to eradicate TB.
Dinalupihan is one of the six pilot locations of PCPN nationwide.
Others include Moncada, Tarlac; Tanza, Cavite; Mabini, Batangas; Candelaria, Quezon; and Parañaque City.
PCPN is a collaborative project of the municipal government Dinalupihan, USAID TB Platforms, Department of Health and Philhealth. (CLJD/CASB-PIA 3)