Novartis, Parañaque LGU introduce the CORE eReferral System to strengthen and enhance healthcare network support

• Cardiology and Oncology Referral Enhancement (CORE) digital platform improves coordination across the Parañaque Healthcare Provider Network to support UHC implementation.
• Collaboration focuses on system strengthening and timely patient access through enhanced referral processes.

Novartis Healthcare Philippines has formed an official partnership with the Parañaque City Government to reinforce the city’s healthcare system and support the local rollout of Universal Health Care Act Philippines. The collaboration brings together public and private sector expertise to streamline how patients move across health facilities, aiming for more efficient and coordinated referral processes.

Through Resolution No. 2025-308, authority is granted to Edwin C. Olivares to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with Novartis for health programs aligned with UHC. Central to this partnership is the implementation of the Cardiology and Oncology Referral Enhancement (CORE) system—an electronic referral platform that links facilities within the Parañaque Healthcare Provider Network. By prioritizing cardiology and oncology, the initiative targets two of the country’s most prevalent non-communicable diseases—ischemic heart disease and cancer—which continue to place a heavy burden on Filipino patients and the overall healthcare system.

h Novartis for health programs and initiatives aligned with the UHC Act. A key component of the agreement is the rollout of the Cardiology and Oncology Referral Enhancement (CORE) system—an electronic referral (eReferral) platform that connects facilities within the Parañaque Healthcare Provider Network (HCPN). By focusing on cardiology and oncology, the initiative helps address two of the country’s leading non‑communicable diseases—ischemic heart disease and cancer—which continue to place a significant burden on Filipino patients and the health system.¹

The partnership is implemented in close coordination with Mayor Olivares; the Parañaque City Health Office; Dr. Darius J. Sebastian, Officer‑in‑Charge City Health Officer; Dr. Ruben Ver Bombeta, Partnership Focal; and City Councilor Maria Kristine G. Esplana, sponsor of the enabling resolution. This collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment to co‑creating sustainable, system‑level solutions for improved health outcomes.

The need for stronger referral coordination

With the devolution of health services to local government units under the Local Government Code and the UHC Act, cities like Parañaque now play a critical role in ensuring that care is accessible, coordinated, and continuous. Administrative Order 2020-0019 further outlines the importance of building a mature Healthcare Provider Network where facilities are linked, services are coordinated, and patients are guided smoothly across levels of care.

However, gaps in referral coordination can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. CORE addresses this challenge by providing a digital platform that links health facilities within the Parañaque HCPN, allowing referrals to be tracked, managed, and acted on more efficiently.

By strengthening how facilities connect with one another, the system helps patients reach the appropriate level of care faster and supports the city’s progress toward a more integrated UHC implementation. It also supports ongoing efforts to improve care coordination across the city.

“A fully functional Health Care Provider Network (HCPN) relies on strong communication between facilities,” said Dr. Darius J. Sebastian, OIC–City Health Officer. “Through our partnership with Novartis, we are operationalizing this mandate by deploying a web-based referral system. This technology ensures seamless continuity of care as patients navigate from primary care providers to higher-level facilities.

Parañaque City is the first LGU to partner with Novartis on the CORE initiative. To support implementation, CORE training was conducted on December 2, equipping local health workers with the skills needed to use the system in their daily operations.

The rollout is supported by Thinking Machines, the technology partner for the initiative. Beyond the platform itself, the partnership places strong emphasis on capacity-building. This upskilling ensures that health workers are fully supported in adopting digital solutions that can improve service delivery over time.

Moving UHC forward at the local level

The initiative aligns with the Novartis access principles, which recognize that a medicine’s impact depends not only on availability but also on the strength of the systems responsible for delivering care. Guided by the Novartis Health System Strengthening (HSS) Framework, the partnership focuses on addressing delayed referrals—one of the most common barriers to timely and appropriate care for patients with high‑burden diseases.

“Improving access requires more than providing innovative medicines—it also means helping strengthen the systems that enable patients to receive timely care,” said Sushant Anand, Value and Access Head at Novartis. “Through CORE, we are working with Parañaque City to address real‑world gaps in referral pathways. This collaboration demonstrates how co‑creation can support health workers and ultimately help patients get the care they need, when they need it.”

Designed for scalability and long‑term sustainability, CORE positions the partnership as a model for UHC‑aligned public‑private collaboration—one built on co‑creation, capacity‑building, and system‑level impact.

Novartis and the Parañaque City Government reaffirm their joint commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare and enhancing local health systems. Through initiatives such as CORE, the partnership moves forward with concrete actions to ensure that Universal Health Care Act Philippines is effectively implemented at all levels.

 

Reference:

1. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Leading causes of death in the Philippines, 2024 update. Inquirer.net; 2025. Available from: https://business.inquirer.net