Lessons from a local government unit - health academic partnership.
BACKGROUND
The devolution of health services from the Department of Health to the Local Government Unit in the Philippines in 1992 led to the deterioration of the management of local health services. The UP College of Medicine (UPCM) has forged a partnership with a Local Government Unit of a rural municipality to implement a community based health program geared towards the development of local health systems.


OBJECTIVE
Program objectives were: (1) to provide learning opportunities for UPCM faculty, medical residents and students in community medicine; and (2) to assist communities develop their health systems.


METHODS
In July, 2004, the UPCM jointly drafted a municipal health plan with its partner municipality. Before the actual planning session, the rural health midwives were assisted by the UPCM students in determining the health needs of their communities and in drafting community health plans. The plans were then presented by the midwives in a 2-day planning workshop, and became the basis of the municipal health plan.


RESULTS
The outcome of the workshop was the first municipal health plan that this health office had drafted. Main outcomes from the implementation of the plan included the organization of the Local Health Board, improved health service provision by the municipal health office, active health committees in selected villages and better learning opportunities for medical residents and interns.


CONCLUSIONS
Colleges of Medicine in the Philippines can and should play a role in the development of local health systems within the overall framework of Alma Ata Primary Health Care. National health planners should seriously consider this role of the health academe.
College of Medicine, University of the Philippines, Ermita, Manila, Philippines. gastan2@yahoo.com
Elizabeth R
ER
Paterno
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D009111:Local Government; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D010679:Philippines; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration