THE House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the proposed “e-Health System and Services Act.”
In a vote of 197-0, the Lower House ratified House Bill 10245 that proposes the creation of a Philippine Electronic Health o e-Health System and Services to strengthen the implementation and success of the Universal Health Care Act, also known as Republic Act 11223.
According to the bill’s proponents, the e-Health system is vital especially in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide the public with broader access to quality and accurate information.
Pushing for the e-Health bill also ensures equitable provision of health services, especially those living in “geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas” and poor Filipinos.
Once enacted into law, an independent body called the e-Health Policy and Coordination Council will be created and will be responsible in the crafting of guidelines and other policies for the effective implementation of the e-Health system.