8 SHOCKING FACTS ABOUT HEALTHCARE IN THE PHILIPPINES
Access to healthcare is a human right, it must be universal, accessible whenever and wherever needed. It also must be comprehensive but should also be affordable. However, here in the Philippines, it isn’t. Out of the millions of people living in the Philippines, many do not get access to this basic care. Here are 8 shocking facts about healthcare in the Philippines that you might not know:
1. Political agenda/ corruption
Despite the President of the Philippines campaign to eliminate corruption in the Philippines, there is still an occurring corruption in most government agencies including health care. The most recent corruption allegation was the stolen 15 Billion funds by Philhealth, the Filipinos access to public health insurance.
There is also a history of unfair and unequal access to health services that significantly affects poor people. The government spends little money on the program which causes high out-of-pocket spending and further widens the gap between the rich and the poor. It is a dream for most Filipinos to see the transparency of the government and witness that the healthcare system is working.
2. Rising case of contagious diseases
Many Filipinos face diseases such as Tuberculosis, Dengue, Malaria, and HIV/AIDS. These diseases pair with protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies that are becoming increasingly common in the country.
Last 2019, there have been reports of outbreaks of dengue, diphtheria, measles, and polio. In August 2019 alone, the Department of Health declared the national dengue epidemic with 717 dengue cases and 1407 death, which was 106% cases more than in 2018.
3. High maternal/ newborn mortality rate and fertility rate
The Philippines has a high maternal and newborn mortality rate, and a high fertility rate. This creates problems for those who have especially limited access to this basic care or for those living in generally poor health conditions. One reason behind this is the lack of knowledge and information about reproductive health from people in rural areas.
4. Lesser workforce in public hospitals
The Philippines is a nation with talented people. However, many employers in Philippine healthcare have their necessary workforce working at low salaries. This is why other healthcare providers seek opportunities to work abroad with better pay.
Only 30 percent of health professionals are employed by the government which helps address the health needs of the majority. Healthcare in the Philippines suffers because the remaining 70 percent of health professionals work in the more expensive privately run sectors or others work outside the country.
5. High rate of obesity
The rate of increase in adult obesity in the Philippines exhibited a very rapid growth. The population is affected by a high prevalence of obesity along with heart diseases.
Obesity is weighing more than what is considered healthy for a given height. A common misconception is that obesity is the opposite of malnutrition or the lack of proper nutrition. Obesity is intertwined with malnutrition, as it can stem from a diet that is calorically excessive but not nutritionally adequate.
6. Shortage of supplies
Healthcare in the Philippines suffers from a shortage of human medical resources. During the Covid 19 public health emergency, many hospitals called for a public outcry due to the lack of PPE’s, masks, and other necessities to combat the risk of the Coronavirus.
7. Private healthcare is expensive
Private healthcare services are well established and growing in the Philippines. However, good service comes with great pay that most Filipinos can not afford. Although doctors in private hospitals are good as doctors practicing in the public sector, private facilities are much better equipped and treatment is basically faster.
8. Most medicines are not covered by the public hospitals
There are numerous pharmacies in the Philippines and many 24-hour pharmacies can be found in major cities and attached to most hospitals. Pharmacies are staffed by accredited pharmacists who maintain the state’s strict guidelines on the sale of prescription drugs.
However, although most medicine is available in public hospitals, some prescription medications may not be available in the hospital, so patients would then buy it using their own money which sometimes can be quite expensive.