Where will we be in 2025?
Perusing the health news that made global headlines: a quick review focusing on infectious diseases mentioned avian influenza, monkeypox, malaria, a breakthrough drug on pre-exposure prophylaxis on HIV, dengue, vaccine-preventable diseases, and pandemic preparedness.
While these are all pressing public health concerns that may very well persist through the coming months or years, I still can’t seem to shake off how COVID-19 nearly brought the world to an end, and how five years after, answers remain elusive, seeing how the world is still playing catch-up, and at some point seem to choose to be in a state of amnesia, acting as if it never happened. As a country, fully aware of how we are trying to cope with the various health challenges and the state of our health infrastructure, one wonders how we will fare in the eventuality that we are faced with a similar situation. How disaster-ready and foolproof will we be?
The general public has witnessed strong opposition to issues regarding the management of PhilHealth funds and the recently approved national budget. I am with you on this, not only because I am part of the rapidly dwindling health force that is in a constant struggle to remain optimistic amidst reality checks but as a citizen of this country. I keep wondering just how much of it is understood at the grassroots level, and to push it further, if there is a full comprehension of its implications. This brings to mind how important it is to laymanize terms.
As physicians, it is our duty and moral obligation to explain a disease condition to a patient and their family in a language that is easily understood, cognizant that their subsequent decisions can largely be anchored on our expert recommendations. In a similar fashion, aren’t people who are appointed into positions of influence entrusted with running our country and looking out for our welfare be called upon to explain the appropriations in the national budget?
While you may be fortunate to remain comfortable in your homes, secure that there are health facilities within reach, and have medical insurance that would help initiate faster access to consult and subsequent treatment, a majority would not be as lucky. Allow me to share three stories.
Last week, a cousin’s former household help visited for the holidays. It has been close to seven years since she left to raise a family. She introduced me to her 7-year-old son and said, “Ate, pangarap kong mapa-check-up ’yung anak ko sa iyo dahil sa probinsya, kailangan kang may P1,500 na baon para magpagamot. Hindi man mataas and singil ng doktor, mahal ’yung mga pagagawang laboratoryo. Kaya kung wala ka noong halaga, tiis na muna hanggang magkaroon ng budget.”
For a family of four, subsisting roughly on P6,000, clearly, health is not a priority. “Wala bang health center na malapit?” I asked. “Malayo po at hindi kumpleto. Minsan pinahihiram pa namin ang tricycle sa mga nanganagailangan na pumunta sa pinakamalapit na ospital.” She shared that her husband was a local barangay official who still wanted to run for reelection. She was supportive of him because she wanted to help the community despite their struggles. They could still get by as they had a small parcel of land to till.
“Doktora, may kilala ba kayong rheumatologist para kay tatay? Wala po kaming spesyalista sa Mindoro at isang taon na po ’yung nakalipas since ’yung check-up sa Maynila.” This Christmas, I learned that his condition deteriorated and his kidney function has also been thoroughly compromised. Without a doubt, dialysis would be inevitable. He is just 55 years old.
More than a week ago, you must have read about a bishop who suffered from a ruptured aorta while celebrating Mass in Basilan. On their Facebook page, there was mention of him needing specialized care and efforts were being made to transfer him to Manila. We join everyone in praying for his recovery.
To summarize, it is a glaring truth that difficulties in accessing appropriate health care persist due to lack of funds. Based on their recounts, how can one question reality? I am quite sure that you have your own stories to share.
From publicly shared documents on the 2025 national budget which is at P6.326 trillion, and from the news release from the Presidential Communications Office on Dec. 30, 2024, which detail the allocations amongst the key sectors, the figures are as follows: Department of Education, P1.05 trillion; Department of Public Works and Highways, P1.007 trillion; Department of National Defense, P315.1 billion; Department of the Interior and Local Government, P279.1 billion; Department of Health, P267.8 billion; Department of Agriculture, P237.4 billion; Department of Social Welfare and Development, P217.5 billion; Department of Transportation, P123.7billion; the judiciary, P64.0 billion; and Department of Justice, P42.2 billion.
May I ask you, what should be topmost on the list of priorities?
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timmygimenez@gmail.com