Home⇛International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research⇛vol. 7 no. 7 (2026)

Transformative Approaches to Universal Health Care: Towards Achieving Health Equity Framework in the Local Government Level

Dolores T. Quiambao | Milette Q. Sanchez

Discipline: social policy

 

Abstract:

Universal Health Care (UHC) is one of the critical policies ensuring the equitable access to quality health services without experiencing financial hardship. In the Philippines, UHC was institutionalized through Republic Act No. 11223 and reinforced the role of the Local Government Units (LGUs) in implementing health reforms and mod- ification responsive to the community needs. This study evaluated the transformative approaches to Universal Health Care (UHC) to- wards the development of a health equity framework in the local government level. It utilized the convergent mixed-method research design combining quantitative analysis of health outcome indicators across selected Local Government Units implementing UHC integra- tion sites along with qualitative interviews with local health officers, policy implementers, and community stakeholders. The premise of the exemplified transformative approaches in the utilization and implementation to UHC in the local government ensure the provi- sions of comprehensive delivery of health services, health financing, governance and leadership. The major themes that emerged from the study were: (1) primary healthcare orientation, (2) equity-ori- ented health system, (3) multi-sectorial collaboration, (4) financial protection mechanisms and (5) continuous monitoring and evalua- tion. The manifested themes from this study supplemented the health equity framework in the local government level to strengthen the health system, institutionalize health regulation, ensure the sta- bility of the health services, and provide equity-oriented healthcare system. The findings were indicative of health policy reforms, gov- ernance mechanisms and strategies, and tools that could be put in place by local government to further the UHC and health equity par- ticularly in the district hospitals, health centers and local communi- ties. The proposed Health Equity Framework offers a policy and practice roadmap for local governments and the Department of Health to institutionalize equitable, efficient, and resilient health *Corresponding author: E-mail: milettequiambao1981@gmail.com Quiambao & Sanchez, 2026 / Transformative Approaches to Universal Health Care IJMABER 3002 Volume 7 | Number 7 | July | 2026 systems aligned with the goals of Universal Health Care providing health equity to the local government level.



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