Philippines: The people’s health in crisis

2. Poverty-related diseases are on the rise.

In a poor country like the Philippines, diseases brought about by poverty are still rampant. Communicable but preventable diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and diarrhea remain as the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. These diseases can be prevented if people could live in sanitary and decent living conditions. Most diseases are curable if only the people have access to basic health services.

For example, incidences of tuberculosis are on the rise. Fifty years after medications for the treatment of TB were discovered, more and more people still become infected and die from this disease. Every year, close to 100,000 Filipinos become infected with TB. An estimated 75 of these die.

Since 2000 up to2006, the government has allotted only P154 million for its TB prevention and control program. This year, the budget was further slashed to P139 million. The DOH supposedly provides free TB drugs through the health centers. But the health centers can only provide for a one month supply of anti-TB drugs, if there are supplies. If we are to divide the P139 M to the number people who contacted the disease, each TB patient can only be allotted P1,390. With the TB medicine alone, the said amount will not even be enough to sustain the six months TB drugs therapy which amounts to not less than P7,000.

3. Majority of the country’s population has poor access and cannot afford health services.

Since the Health Sector Reform Agenda (HSRA) implementation in 2000, the people’s access to important health services has become almost nil as public hospitals were closed down and the number of Rural Health Units, decreased.

· The number of public hospitals decreased from 1,794 in 1999 to 1,361 hospitals in 2005. Most of the public hospitals that were closed down are district hospitals.

· Number of Rural Health Units also decreased from 2,335 in mid-1990’s to 1,879 in 2001.

· Patients and employees of Corazon Locsin Montelibano Regional Hospital in the Negros Province reported the hospital’s “no bed, no admission policy”. The policy refers to the “adjustments” resorted into by the hospital management to solve its bed capacity problem. Many patients “bringing their own beds” are normal sights in the corridors of the said hospital.

· The lots occupied by three specialty public hospitals namely, the National Center for Mental Health, Tala Leprosarium and the Fabella Hospital are up for bidding. There are no clear plans as to what will happen to the employees and patients of these hospitals.

Latest available figure in 2002 shows that 67% of Filipinos die without medical attention. In 1990, this figure was at 59%. These days, more and more people can hardly rely on public health services because public hospitals now charge even indigent patients with various fees such as emergency room fee, out-patient department fee, operating room fee, etc. Under the HSRA, the DOH allows up to 20% increase in user-fee hospital service charges.

· For example, the Philippine General Hospital, the country’s premiere public hospital is charging P1,500 for operation room fee. Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital charges P3,500 for the same fee.

· Patients at the NKTI lament the “no pay, no hook policy” – referring to the hospital management’s policy of not providing dialysis treatment to patients who cannot pay the procedures. One dialysis session at the NKTI costs P2,700 – and on the average, a patient with serious kidney problem has to undergo two dialysis sessions a week.

Yet instead of decisively solving the people’s health crisis – the health budget for 2008 remains far below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended 5% of the Gross National Product. Even by the Health Secretary Francisco Duque’s own admission during the budget hearings here at the House of Representatives, the country’s health concerns need some P60 Billion.

Out of 192 countries worldwide, the Philippines ranks 174th in terms of percentage share of the national health budget to Gross Domestic Product. In terms of general government expenditure on health, the country ranks a dismal 156th.

For the past 11 years, the health budget has declined by about 40%. For this reason, we in Bayan Muna are urging the members of the 14th Congress to endeavor to raise the appropriations for health until it approximates the WHO prescription.

In conclusion, I cite a number of the specific “prescriptions” by our various health organizations now here with us in the gallery:

1. Health care must be made accessible, affordable, and appropriate to the needs of the people. Specifically, an increase in the national health budget should provide adequate amount for the maintenance and operations of public hospitals. Budgetary allocation for the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers must be provided, and Internal Revenue Allotment allocation for health must be increased.

2. The public health care delivery system must be strengthened. Preventive health care and public health must be given emphasis. Health care infrastructure (hospitals and equipment) must be improved.

3. Medical and nursing practice in the country should be made viable options again. More than just the issue of adequate compensation, health professionals, health workers, and even health students should feel that there is a future for them and their family if they stay and serve here.

Improvement in the socio-economic conditions of Filipinos is integral to improving our people’s health. Living wages, food, land and adequate housing are basic requisites for the people to attain good health.

Ultimately, collective action and political will remain vital in bringing about meaningful social changes that will redound to the people’s benefit. Your earnest support to this endeavor can, in a very literal sense, save lives.

Thank you.#