Conceptualizing and applying a minimum basic needs approach in southern Philippines

Abstract

This study, a collaboration between Canadian and Filipino researchers, focuses on how the national government's Minimum Basic Needs (MBN) Approach has been implemented at the local level in some selected sites in Region XI on the Philippine island of Mindanao. This case study of MBN implementation focuses on the experiences of three municipalities and three barangays (villages) within them. The research explores, through interviews and group discussions, what the mayors, technical working groups and volunteer health workers in these areas thought about MBN and how they participated in the initiative. The objectives of the study were: to explore models of MBN data utilization at the municipal and barangay levels; to understand how the MBN data guided decision-making about community priorities and resource allocation; to examine the role that community volunteers played in promoting the use of MBN data, and in community health and development activities which ensued; and to determine what factors challenged or encouraged the use of MBN data for social development at the barangay level. In all the sites, MBN had some impact, most often due to methods of concentrating information on unmet basic needs locally and making use of it in planning and project development processes. The findings show that although there is still some way to go before MBN is effectively integrated into local planning and project development, some responses to problems have been implemented and innovative projects were undertaken or being considered.

District decision-making for health in low-income settings: a systematic literature review

“…Details of the quality assessment for the way each study was reported in the papers included in this review are given in Supplementary file 4; 10 papers were found to report a high quality of evidence, (Sandiford et al 1994; Heinonen et al 2000; Mubyazi et al 2004; Chaulagai et al 2005; Mutemwa 2006; Soeung et al 2006; Maluka et al 2010, 2011a; Nnaji et al 2010; La Vincente et al 2013) and four to report an acceptable quality (Murthy 1998; de Savigny et al 2008; Maluka et al 2011b; Mutale et al 2013). …”

“…Mubyazi et al (2004) TanzaniaCase series in 4 districtsDistrict Commissioners, Administrative Secretaries, Medical Officers, Health Secretaries, Treasurers, Hospital Medical Superintendents; Council Executive Directors, Health Officers and Planning Officers; Dispensary and Health centre staff; Village leaders and development committees; Ward Development Committees; Heads of households+++ 12. Heinonen et al (2000) PhilippinesCase studyAdministrators, Health Managers, General population+++ 13. Murthy (1998) IndiaCase series in 2 districtsNGO programme officers, District Health Officer, District Family Welfare Officer, Primary health centre staff++ 14.…”

“…Seven of these studies related to priority setting, annual health planning and budgeting (Murthy 1998; Heinonen et al 2000; Mubyazi et al 2004; Soeung et al 2006; Nnaji et al 2010; Maluka et al 2010, 2011a,b; La Vincente et al 2013), with two of them focussed on decision-making specifically related to maternal and child health, (Murthy 1998; La Vincente et al 2013;) and two based on national agendas (Heinonen et al 2000; Soeung et al 2006). Of these latter two, one was about delivery of immunization services, (Soeung et al 2006) and the other looked at a Minimum Basic Needs (MBN) approach linked to the Government of the Philippines’ national poverty alleviation policy, a broad drive tackling the survival, security and enabling needs of poor people, of which health was just one part (Heinonen et al 2000). MBN aimed to enhance local government autonomy; increase collaboration and coordination between NGOs, people’s organizations and local government; and encourage community members and relevant sectors to participate in planning and project implementation.…”

“…Review and approval by Ministry of Health before funding is released 12. Heinonen et al (2000) Linked in to central government poverty alleviation policy, that includes: people’s Survival, Security and Enabling needs Minimum Basic Needs Approach (MBN), to enhance local government autonomy, increase collaboration and coordination between NGOs, community based organizations and local government units, and encourage participation of community members and various sectors in planning and project implementation1. Formation of MBN team, by existing inter-agency technical working group convened by local government (MBN includes municipal planners and local representatives from Departments of Health, Agriculture and Social Welfare & Development)2.…”

Health insurance in the Philippines:bold policies and socio-economic realities

“…The central and local governments provide basic emergency care in hospitals, child and maternal care services through clinics, and public health services including safe water and other environmental health programs. The Philippine government has worked hard to improve the quality and accessibility of primary health care through various programs, but success has been limited (Heinonen et al 2000).…”