Delivering healthcare to your doorstep

MDH’s Dr. Karin Estepa-Garcia on how Home Care Plus strengthens primary care and family medicine

- LETIZIA BALANAG

Medical attention does not end in the hospital; it should extend into our homes, where care and comfort are sustained through proper followup, support from loved ones, and access to essential medical guidance and resources.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), primary health care is about working together as a community to make health and wellness services more accessible. It means meeting people where they are—from staying healthy and preventing illness to receiving the right treatment, recovering, and even accessing home care when needed. At its core, this approach puts patients first, ensuring that medical attention is tailored to their needs and respects their choices. One of its components, primary care, refers to the first point of contact in the healthcare system. It should be accessible, continuous, and person-centered, and can be provided by any trained primary care professional, whether in an outpatient department or within the community.

An expert in this field, Dr. Karin Estepa-Garcia, values being a trusted doctor for Filipino families—a go-to professional who not only treats symptoms but also understands the stories behind them. With 18 years of practice, she has served as chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Manila Doctors Hospital and currently leads the Home Care Plus services unit. Drawing on her experience, she shares insights on the vital role of primary care and family medicine in providing patients with holistic and continuous care.