The government must fully roll out Universal Health Care (UHC) as the Philippines advances to upper-middle income status, according to business groups led by the Management Association of the Philippines. In a statement, the groups emphasized that a well-functioning state health insurance program is critical to meeting the needs of workers and sustaining economic growth.
The call was reported by BusinessWorld, which noted that the business groups view UHC as a key driver of productivity. They argued that a healthy workforce is essential for the country to compete in a higher income bracket and that delays in implementation could hamper economic momentum.
The Philippines recently met the World Bank’s criteria for upper-middle income status, raising expectations for improved public services. The business groups urged the government to ensure adequate funding and efficient management of UHC to match the country’s new economic standing.