INTEGRATED PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICE
Mission
Pagbuo ng isang progresibong sistemang pangkalusugan na mapagkalinga, naaabot, patas at tumutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng mamamayang Quezonian kailan man o saan man ito kailangan.
Vision
Ang mga mamamayan at pamayanang Quezonian ay pinakamalusog sa Pilipinas sa taong 2040.
PHO Organizational Structure and Services
Consistent with the efforts to implement the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act in the province intending to right size and streamline the current staffing pattern and institutional process, improve efficiencies in the delivery of performance commitments and day- to- day operations, and improve the quality of services in the office, the functional management structure of the PHO is established following closely after the recommended structure of the Department of Health (DOH) with some modifications as indicated on the PHO Office Order NO. PHO-04, series of 2023.
The PHO is led by the Provincial Health Officer II and was established to serve as the primary agency in the province responsible for health service delivery and health system management, including the delivery of promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative components of health care within the territorial jurisdiction of the province. Basically it was created to address the healthcare needs of “Quezonians” in ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare services and health systems operation, wherein the Administrative Unit shall be the main support unit the shall serve all functions relating to the general administration of the IPHO, and other roles and responsibilities as may be assigned by the PHO II.
The office is mainly divided into three (3) major divisions, the Health Services Delivery Division (HSDD), Health Systems Support Division (HSSD) and the Quezon Provincial Hospital Network (QPHN). Under the HSDD that manages the coordination of health service delivery operations of primary care provider networks (PCPNs), hospitals, and other health facilities, and oversee the overall integration of the health systems and implementation of public health programs, health promotion, epidemiology and surveillance, and conducting drinking water quality assessment and ensuring water safety, chemical safety, toxicology and industrial hygiene, healthcare waste management, food and water- borne diseases program and programs pertaining to climate change and health.
Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) shall be responsible for the conduct of epidemiologic investigations, patient interviews, review of medical records, contact tracing, collection, storage and transport of samples and specimens, risk assessments, laboratory investigations, population surveys and environmental investigation. It shall also be responsible for the data management, analysis and mandatory reporting of notifiable diseases and health events of public health concern.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management for Health Unit (DRRMHU) shall be responsible for the timely, effective, and efficient preparedness and response to public health emergencies and disasters. It shall also establish and maintain an emergency operation center with an early warning system, communication mechanism and technology, and equipment, and organize and mobilize health emergency response teams that are equipped with adequate and appropriate tools and supplies.
Environmental and Occupational Health Unit (EOHU) shall be responsible for the implementation and management of environmental sanitation programs including septage and sewage management and zero open defecation, conducting drinking water quality assessment and ensuring water safety, chemical safety, toxicology and industrial hygiene, healthcare waste management, Food and Water- Borne Diseases Program and programs pertaining to climate change and health.
Health Education and Promotion Unit (HEPU) shall be responsible for the implementation of health promotion- related programs, projects and activities, and facilitate coordination among partners such as, but not limited to, local government and hospital Health Education and Promotion Officers (HEPOs) and Baranggay Health Workers (BHWs) as barangay level health promotions officers.
The Public Health Program Management Group that is still under the HSDD shall be responsible for the overall implementation of public health programs, local health policies, plans and standards, including the coordination of the delivery of public health services. The group shall be composed of the following units:
Nutrition Unit (NutriU) shall oversee the implementation of the provincial nutrition program including policy development and implementation, coordination and monitoring of nutrition action plan and technical and logistics assistance to the local implementation for nutrition programs in cities and municipalities. The cluster is synonymous with Provincial Nutrition Action Office, and thus is the secretariat of the Provincial Multi- Sectoral Nutrition Council.
Family Health Unit (FHU) shall be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the Safe Motherhood Program, Immunization Program, Family Planning Program, Adolescent and Youth Health Development Program, Newborn Screening Program, and other related public health programs.
Infectious Diseases Unit (IDU) manages the Tuberculosis Program, STI- HIV / AIDS Program, Vector- borne Diseases Program, Rabies Prevention and Control Program, Leprosy, Yaws and Other skin Diseases Program, Integrated helminth Control Program, Emerging and Re- emerging Infectious Disease Program and other related public health programs. The IDU shall also oversee the operation of the Provincial Chest Clinic, Animal Bite Treatment Center and Live Positive Wellness Hub.
Oral Health Unit (OHU) shall manage and oversee the local implementation of the Oral Health Program.
Non- communicable Diseases Unit (NCDU) implements the lifestyle- related Diseases Program, Mental Health Program, Prevention of Blindness Program, Renal Disease Control Program, Substance Abuse Prevention Program, Dangerous Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program, Tobacco Control Program, Alcohol Control Program, Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Voluntary Blood Services Program, Indigenous Peoples Program, Persons with Disability Program, Health and Productive Aging Program, Violence and Injury Prevention Program, and other related public health programs.
On the other hand, the HSSD manages the health financing, planning and budgeting, health information system, procurement and supply chain for health products and services, local health regulation, health human resource development and performance monitoring, among others and is composed of the following units:
The Quality Performance and Management Unit (QPMU) shall ensure that provided health services and operations of the health systems meet the minimum quality standards set by the DOH, Philhealth and other stakeholders and satisfy the needs and expectations of the clients. It shall also ensure that performance standards are consistent across health facilities and services within the province. They shall implement the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) strategy in their mandate and his shall be cascaded to the health facilities and divisions concerned. The QPMU shall oversee matters relating to the implementation of Universal Health Care in the province.
Planning and Research Unit (PRU) shall be responsible for the formulation of the provincial health goals, objectives and overall plans, including the Local Investment Plan for Health (LIPH), and other investment and budget plans for health. It shall also manage the health planning process of the PHO. The unit shall be the repository and shall make sure that all constitutional health plans of the province are aligned with each other. The PRU shall also serve as the research and development focal point of the office.
The Health Information Systems Unit (HISU) shall be responsible for the information and communication technology development and management, and shall be the repository and safekeeper of all health data and statistics. It shall be lead and dedicated unit in the implementation, monitoring and technical support in matters relating to Health Information Systems as part of the implementation of UHC in the province.
The Quezon Health Navigation and Referral Unit (HNRU) – established through the Executive No. DHT- 40s. 2022 shall be responsible for the navigation, referral and telemedicine services for patients and clients within the Quezon Province- wide Health System (PWHS). It shall coordinate patient transport with providers, emergency dispatch teams, social welfare offices, municipal registrars, and other offices, as need arises. The HNRU shall set the policies and guidelines and serve as the secretariat of the Quezon Health Navigation and Referral System.
Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) shall be responsible for facilitating demand planning and forecasting, inventory management, formation of transportation and warehousing strategies, and monitoring of proper storage and disposal of medicines, health commodities and other health products in the entire Quezon Province- Wide Health System (PWHS), which includes all government hospitals and primary care facilities. The SCMU shall facilitate processes relating to procurement, allocation, and distribution of the Office’s supplies and commodities.
Human Resources for Health Management and Development Unit (HRHMDU) shall be responsible for the development of strategies on HRH generation, recruitment, retraining and retention, including HRH sharing and performance assessment mechanism within the province. It shall also be responsible for the formulation of HRH plan, conduct of learning development needs assessment and interventions, and career development and management systems. It shall also be in- charge of the provision of psychosocial and other necessary support for the HRH.
The PHO serves as a cornerstone of public health in the province working tirelessly to protect, promote and contribute to the overall health and well- being of the population, promoting access to quality healthcare, and strengthening the provincial health system.