Philippine Patient Congress 2024

Advancing patient-centered healthcare through collaboration and collective action.

August 29–30, 2024
Asian Development Bank
300 stakeholders nationwide

Background & rationale

Why the Congress mattered

An alliance rooted in patient experience

PAPO is the umbrella organization of disease-specific patient groups in the Philippines and a member of the International Alliance of Patient Organizations (IAPO), which holds Non-State Actor status with the World Health Organization. Regionally, PAPO is part of the Duke-NUS Center for Regulatory Excellence, the Coalition to Accelerate Patient Engagement and the Union for International Cancer Control. Nationally, it sits in technical working groups, councils and coalitions that help shape health policy.

Two landmark laws, one shared task

In 2019 the Universal Health Care Act (RA 11223) and the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (RA 11215) were passed. The UHC Act seeks equitable access to quality, affordable healthcare and protection against financial risk. NICCA aims to close gaps along the cancer control continuum, guided by the Cancer Control Strategic Plan 2021–2030 and its five vital services: primary prevention, right information, early detection, complete diagnosis, and optimal treatment and care through a multidisciplinary team approach.

A global call for social participation

In August 2023 the WHO introduced its Civil Society Commission to strengthen dialogue and collaboration toward Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. This global movement affirms the need to engage patients, carers and communities so they can mobilize resources, share in decision-making and help implement programs that improve community health.

Why the Congress was convened

Against this backdrop, the Philippine Patient Congress brought together some 300 patient advocates, caregivers, government representatives, academe, healthcare professionals and the private sector from across the country to share insights, experiences and best practices in a spirit of collaboration and a united call to action — so that patients co-own and co-create the solutions to achieving Health for All.

Delegates

Who attended?

Patient Advocates
Patient Leaders
Caregivers
Government
Healthcare Professionals
Academe
Researchers
Industry
Civil Society Organizations
Media

Key themes

What we discussed

Universal Health Coverage
Turning the promise of Health for All into benefits patients can actually use.
Patient-Centered Healthcare
Designing services around the real needs and realities of patients and carers.
Patient Engagement
Meaningful participation from planning and research to delivery and review.
Health Policy
Evidence-informed policy shaped with the people it is meant to serve.
Healthcare Access
Reducing financial, geographic and information barriers to care.
Collaboration
Government, academe, industry, civil society and patients working as partners.
Advocacy
Strengthening the collective voice of Filipino patient organizations.