PH org joins world movement to close patient groups’ ranks

THE ORGANIZERS of the Patient Solidarity Day look forward to next year’s 7th Global Patients Congress where members will be able to meet with high-level healthcare stakeholders to discuss important issues for patients worldwide.

Patients joining together in an undeniable force connote power. Despite their sufferings, they can still do wonders as they have the power to persuade the government and private organizations to provide them programs that would relieve their sufferings and to fund genuinely scientific research into the causes and treatment of the illness.

It makes sense if everybody contributes considering one of these days we will all get sick: Would it be great if we have some sort of health insurance policy?

“This is one of the reasons why Filipino patients, for the first time, joined this month’s global celebration of Patient Solidarity Day,” said Fatima Garcia-Lorenzo, president of the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (Papo). “On this special day (Dec. 5), Filipino patients stood with others from around the world in declaring that ‘Healthcare is a human right,’ which is the theme of this year’s celebration.”

Coalition

Representing at least one million patients all over the country, Papo is a coalition of patient organizations advocating for universal access to healthcare and allied services.

The organization aims to empower Filipino patients, including persons with disabilities, through education, networking, policy advocacy and capacity building.

“Papo advocates for meaningful reforms in three fundamental areas in order to improve the quality of healthcare in the country: respect for patient’s rights, universal healthcare, and patient participation in health policymaking,” explained Lorenzo.

Key messages

Aside from declaring that healthcare is a human right, Patient Solidarity Day, held at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas, also highlighted the following key messages:

• that we should all have access to the healthcare we need.

• that good quality, affordable care without fear of discrimination is a patient’s human right.

• that decisionmakers should respect, protect and fulfill the rights of patients.

• that systems should be designed and services delivered to meet the needs of patients.

Here in the Philippines, patients groups under Papo include: Akap Pinoy, Balikatang Thalassemia, Cerebral Palsied Association of the Philippines, Diabetic Circle of Mandaluyong, Diabetes Society of Camp Crame, Foundation for Sight, Haplos Foundation Inc., I Can Serve, Kythe Foundation Inc., Link Center for the Deaf, New Vois Association, Philippine Association for Citizens with Developmental & Learning Disabilities, Philippine Society of Orphan Disorders, Rainbow Camp Foundation Philippines, and Yellow Warrior Society of the Philippines.

Papo is a member of London-based International Alliance of Patient Organizations (Iapo).

An initiative of the Morris Moses Foundation and Iapo, Patient Solidarity Day was first celebrated in Kenya in 2011. It was celebrated globally for the first time in 2014, involving 80 organizations from 32 countries.

The first Patient Solidarity Day in the Philippines was also supported by Sanofi Philippines.