I arrived in the Philippines over two months ago for personal matters related to my family. However, after two weeks of staying here, I started experiencing various health issues such as nausea, fatigue, skin rashes, vomiting, and difficulty in eating. These symptoms were particularly worrisome to me because of my existing autoimmune and gastrointestinal conditions. Just a week before my planned return to Sweden, I even fainted and fell to the ground. This wasn’t the first time it had happened to me, as I experienced a similar episode in February this year.
As soon as I could, I rushed to a private hospital’s emergency room for a thorough medical check-up. The three-day hospital stay gave me an opportunity to reflect on and raise questions about the healthcare system in the Philippines. Let me emphasize that the country boasts highly skilled and capable medical professionals, and there are numerous public and private hospitals that provide good quality care. Over the years, there have been significant advancements and improvements in the healthcare system, bolstered by the passage of the Universal Health Care Act in 2019. This act has increased the capacity of PhilHealth, the country’s public health insurance provider, to offer better coverage.
Despite these improvements, there are still significant gaps and issues that need to be addressed. One particular concern I pondered over during my hospitalization is the accessibility of quality healthcare services. While preventive and primary care options may be abundant in cities and larger towns, the situation becomes more challenging when it comes to serious and life-threatening illnesses or injuries that require specialized treatment and facilities. In such cases, the options are often limited to private hospitals, which can be financially burdensome for many due to the high costs involved.
Fortunately, I have the privilege of having both PhilHealth and private medical insurance coverage. As of 2019, approximately four million Filipinos have access to health maintenance organizations, with 90% of them being covered under corporate plans. However, it is important to note that not all insurance policies are created equal. The comprehensiveness of coverage varies, and the premium is influenced by factors like benefit limits, out-of-pocket expenses, and deductibles.
If you are fortunate enough to work for a company that provides excellent healthcare benefits, then you are in a favorable position. However, even if the coverage is not entirely comprehensive, it is still better than having no insurance at all. Surprisingly, despite approximately 90% of the population being registered with PhilHealth, a study has revealed that Filipinos still shoulder a significant percentage of out-of-pocket expenses when availing healthcare services. Imagine the challenges faced by patients and their families without any insurance coverage.
In addition to worrying about the disease or injury and the success of the treatment, there is the additional stress and pressure of finding funds to cover hospital bills, doctor’s fees, and medication costs. Even when the funds are somehow arranged and the treatment is successful, the family is often left with substantial debt. These are pressing issues that need to be addressed. For many families and individuals, one serious illness or life-threatening injury can lead to the loss of their entire savings and upend their lives.
Finding effective solutions to these challenges is a complex task that requires the expertise of those well-versed in healthcare matters. They say “health is wealth,” but the current state of affairs suggests that being wealthy is a prerequisite for ensuring good health.
On a personal note, Moira G. Gallaga has served three Philippine presidents as a presidential protocol officer and has been assigned to diplomatic positions at the Philippine consulate general in Los Angeles and the Philippine Embassy in Washington.
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