argumentative essay about health care in the philippines

Essay on Health Care System In The Philippines

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100 Words Essay on Health Care System In The Philippines

The basics of health care in the philippines.

The Philippines’ health care system is a set of health services provided by public and private providers. Public health care is managed by the Department of Health (DOH), while private health services are offered by various hospitals and clinics.

Public Health Care

Public health care is available to everyone. It is funded by taxes and contributions from workers. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is the main public health care provider. It gives Filipinos access to basic medical services.

Private Health Care

Private health care is offered by private hospitals and clinics. It’s usually more expensive than public health care. People who can afford it often choose private care for more personalized service and shorter waiting times.

Challenges in the Health Care System

The health care system in the Philippines faces many challenges. These include a lack of resources, unequal access to health services, and a high cost of care. The government is working on these issues to improve the health care system.

Future of Health Care in the Philippines

The government aims to improve the health care system through the Universal Health Care Act. This law aims to provide all Filipinos with access to quality health care. It’s a big step towards better health care in the Philippines.

250 Words Essay on Health Care System In The Philippines

Introduction.

The health care system in the Philippines is a mix of public and private providers. It aims to give medical help to all its citizens. The Department of Health (DOH) is the main body in charge of health care.

The government provides health care through public hospitals and clinics. These are usually free or cost very little. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is the national health insurance program. It helps people pay for medical services.

There are also private hospitals and clinics. These usually offer better facilities and shorter waiting times. But, they are more expensive. Many people have private health insurance to help cover these costs.

The health care system in the Philippines faces some issues. There are not enough doctors and nurses, especially in rural areas. Also, the quality of care can vary greatly. Some people can’t afford the cost of private health care but need it due to the lack of public facilities.

Improvements

The government is working to improve the health care system. One step is the Universal Health Care Act. This law aims to give all Filipinos access to quality health care, without causing financial hardship.

In conclusion, the health care system in the Philippines is a mix of public and private providers. It faces some challenges, but efforts are being made to improve it. Everyone in the Philippines deserves access to good health care.

500 Words Essay on Health Care System In The Philippines

The basics of the health care system in the philippines.

The health care system in the Philippines is a mix of public and private providers. The Department of Health (DOH) is the main public health agency. It sets policies, plans, and programs for health services. It also runs special health programs and research.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is another important part of the public health system. It provides health insurance for Filipinos. This helps to make health care more affordable.

Public and Private Health Providers

There are both public and private health care providers in the Philippines. Public providers include hospitals, clinics, and health centers run by the government. These offer free or low-cost services. But sometimes, they may not have enough resources or staff.

Private providers include doctors, clinics, and hospitals that are not run by the government. They usually offer more services and shorter waiting times. But, their services cost more.

Health Care Challenges

The health care system in the Philippines faces several challenges. One is the uneven distribution of health services. More health services are available in urban areas than in rural areas. This means people living in rural areas may have to travel far to get health care.

Another challenge is the cost of health care. Even though PhilHealth helps, many Filipinos still find health care expensive. Some may not be able to afford the medicines or treatments they need.

Efforts to Improve Health Care

The government is working to improve the health care system. In 2019, it passed the Universal Health Care Law. This law aims to give all Filipinos access to quality health care. It also aims to make health care more affordable.

The government is also investing in health technology. This includes telemedicine, which allows people to consult with doctors online. This can help people in rural areas get health care more easily.

The health care system in the Philippines is a mix of public and private providers. It faces challenges like uneven distribution of services and high costs. But, the government is taking steps to improve it. It is working to provide universal health care and make health care more affordable. It is also investing in health technology to reach more people. Despite the challenges, the future of health care in the Philippines looks hopeful.

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[OPINION] 5 thoughts about the Philippine healthcare system

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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

A two-week confinement recently and a longer one last year for COVID-19 got me thinking about the Philippine healthcare system and hospitalization costs, in particular. As I lay in bed waiting to heal, I had five thoughts about the medical system.

• One, it is expensive to get sick in this country and to be hospitalized – too expensive for many Filipinos of lower middle income and below.
• Two, doctors have their own specializations and coordination of multiple doctors with one patient is often not seamless and even fragmented.
• Three, nurses and nursing assistants are underpaid.
• Four, nurses are well trained but nursing assistants could receive better training.
• Five, the pricing of medicines based on the hospital room used is wrong.

The five thoughts discussed

One, confinement in hospital can add up in cost very quickly especially if lab work, procedures and operations need to be done. Such a situation can put many Filipino families in a huge financial dilemma.

Membership in HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) is advised to help manage the extraordinary cost that goes with hospitalization but this stops after 65 years of age, a time when seniors will need more health care, not less. PhilHealth is useful but limited. The senior discount was helpful in my case. Yet after all these deductions, the out-of-pocket was still substantial. Personal debt is resorted to and if through informal sources, could carry with it high if not exorbitant rates of interest. Many hospitals offer a deferred payment plan but this can affect a hospital’s cash flow position which could have an impact on its medical service.

In the last year, two individuals from working class families known to me have seen family members pass away from disease that crept up on them (non-COVID-19) that required hospital care but which they kept ignoring or postponing because of the cost until it was too late. No health insurance, no savings in their cases, and despite help from a call to friends, it was too late. This is a story oft-repeated among those with lesser means in life.

Two, in my confinement for over a month with COVID-19 in 2021, a number of doctor-specialists were assigned to me upon my check-in in the emergency unit – a cardiologist, a pulmonologist, an infectious disease specialist, on top of my nephrologist, endocrinologist, and neurologist, the last three from my previous history of diabetes, renal failure, and a stroke. I got the sense that they were not coordinating on my treatment given the conflicting instructions given to nurses on medications and procedures. I found myself having to call doctors to clarify these things before things were clarified and/or changed.

In a recent two-week confinement (non-COVID-19), the experience had thankfully improved for me. The 7 doctors – four from my COVID-19 confinement previously – were speaking to each other and sharing updates. A lead doctor – in this case the infectious disease specialist – set up a Viber group so that the 7 of them could share notes on a daily basis. This helped the nurses explain medications and procedures more clearly. The only issue was the process of getting clearance from each of them when it became clear that my blood infection had been arrested. Chasing all seven doctors to get their clearances for my discharge took numerous follow up calls by my wife (mostly) and myself until it was finally done. The longer wait, however, added an additional day in hospital including a long wait for accounting to itemize the final bill for payment. The additional waiting time comes with its concomitant costs.

Three, from my conversations with nurses and nursing assistants (caregivers), I came to find out that they are grossly underpaid. Nurses in the private hospital were paid a monthly salary of P22,000. They told me that nurses in government hospitals had a higher monthly salary of P36,000. When asked why they did not transfer, the answer was generally one of two: Government hospital working conditions were more difficult (more patients to look after per shift, little time to rest, poorer facilities), or the private hospital was JCI-accredited and this meant that nurses there had a better chance of working abroad (US, Canada, UK, Australia) when applying for overseas placement. A number of nurses had worked previously in Saudi Arabia and had experienced better pay and working conditions but were now looking for an immigration opportunity for a more permanent move.

Nursing assistants (caregivers) in this private hospital were in an even more precarious position. Their monthly salary was P12,000 and they were on 6-month contracts with no security of tenure.

In another private hospital, a dialysis nurse there who had a monthly salary of P14,000 said she chose to return after a two-year stint in Saudi Arabia to be with an 8-year old daughter. She has a second job for a second income to help her husband and family.

There was a also pattern I observed which I hope is not the normal thinking. In my hospital stay, I met two nurses who had been community nurses but who shifted to hospitals because of the better pay. Then, I met nurses in that private hospital looking to migrate in search of better opportunities.

This is an often-heard refrain: Nurses looking or actually migrating to greener pastures. In my dialysis center, four dialysis nurses have migrated to Canada, the US and Germany in the last two years. These are highly trained medical professionals that we lose to other countries. And there are more are in that pipeline.

Four, nurses are well trained but nursing assistants could receive better training. This is the difference between a four-year degree and a short certificate course. Caregivers take a short course TESDA (Technical Education And Skills Development Authority) training with certification but it perhaps could benefit from more hands-on medical training.

Five, the pricing of medicines based on the hospital room used is wrong. In my first hospital stay, all the medicines were given by the hospital. I was not allowed to use my available supply of maintenance medication including insulin. The price differential between the drugs I purchased myself versus the hospital-administered medication was higher by a factor of 2-4 adding significantly to my hospital bill.

A business school colleague now managing a hospital consulting group revealed that private hospitals follow differential pricing on services and supplies charged based on the room contracted. In the case of medicines which has a retail price in the publicly available drug stores and pharmacies, this pricing differential is akin to price-gouging.

What to do?

There is a lot that needs to be done with regard to our healthcare system. As a senior, I am increasingly having to use it more frequently, so I begin to see certain inefficiencies in the system that can lead to high healthcare and hospitalization costs.

The Universal Health Care Act (2019) was enacted “to realize universal coverage through a systematic approach and clear delineation of roles of key stakeholders towards better performance of key agencies and stakeholders in the healthcare system.”

Alvln Manalansan, a non-resident fellow of Stratbase CADR Institute and a convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines wrote an article in March 2021 whose title summed up the cause: “Urgency to transform fragmented health system.”

“Like any other health care system,” he wrote, “the vision of the UHC Act is remarkably outstanding, however, the main challenge is in its implementation. If the UHC Law is fully implemented, it will provide equitable access to quality and affordable healthcare services while protecting against financial risk for every Filipino. However, as frequently mentioned by the DOH, the law cannot be implemented instantly, but only progressively, mainly due to its high resource requirements at all levels.”

What can be done to bring more efficiency into the health care system?

We could start by appointing a secretary of health well-respected by the medical and health care establishment with knowledge ranging from community health care to hospital care, from pre-natal and maternal health care to gerontology (care for the elderly), and everything in between. The secretary need not be expert in all areas; he or she just needs to know the leading players in the each field and can assemble a first-rate team to look after and manage the system’s different parts.

In his column for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, business consultant Peter Wallace wrote , “In 2020, the country’s total health expenditure reached P1 trillion, 5.6% of GDP in that year. So, it should be the most important department in government, with the most competent, most highly experienced leader that can be found. From what we’ve heard, there are such leaders. The President only has to choose which one. Now.”

Let’s assemble the finest group of health economists, business managers, and public policy analysts to sit with the Department of Health leadership team and key medical practitioners to take apart the Universal Health Care Act to see how the entire system can be more integrated, more seamless, more efficient, and less costly to all Filipinos. Studying how certain countries have set up their national health programs (I.e. Canada, Europe) would be instructive. Congress has created an Education Commission II to overhaul the basic education system to improve system performance; a similar Health Commission should be considered.

A consolidation of small private hospitals with larger hospital groups will bring needed investment into this sub-sector, help modernize it, and generate the economies of scale that could drive costs down.

Health insurance should be made available to all with substantial benefits and a variant for senior citizens should be designed and implemented, including home care for the elderly and even hospice care for those nearing death. Incentives and tax breaks should be available to private health insurers providing health insurance and HMO coverage to seniors above age 65.

Most important, investment by Government in community health and preventive medicine should be increased. As in many cases in other fields, investing in prevention minimizes future risk and is less costly than clinical care.

Lastly, let’s pay our nurses and non-doctor medical personnel better wages. We need to provide better economic benefits to encourage them to stay in the country. – Rappler.com

Juan Miguel Luz was former Dean and Head of the School of Development Management at the Asian Institute of Management, and former Undersecretary, Department of Education.

Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines .

Totally agree with the writer. I am one of the Filipino nurses who migrated to the USA, 50 years ago. It saddens me that the conditions Mr. Luz describes was true back then, and that the system has not improved. Granted, the healthcare system is a complicated one. But all the suggestions for improvement that Mr. Luz proposes have been known even 50 years ago. The problem has always been in the implementation. That phase seems to be the thorniest of all phases. We have excellent thinkers, but the implementation phase is plagued by lack of resources, politics, lack of will, etc. Good luck to the next generation. May they get better at solving this great social need.

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When the “heroes” “don’t feel cared for”: The migration and resignation of Philippine nurses amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

As socio-economic activities re-open and societies re-emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, collective and effective COVID-19 responses among nations must be sustained. For this to occur, the needs and challenges of health care workers as essential parts of health systems and as central actors of the collective COVID-19 response must be addressed. While previous discussions and reports have focused on health issues such as burnout and depression [ 1 ], it is also essential to look into their rights, freedoms, and living conditions, as these may not only affect their health and well-being, but also their decision to partake in societal COVID-19 responses.

In this regard, this paper centres on the importance of upholding the rights, freedoms, and just living conditions of health care workers as exemplified by the situation of Filipino nurses in the Philippine health care system amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The world faced the pandemic with a global shortage of nurses of about 5.9 million [ 2 ]. Asia is among the regions with the lowest density of nurses in the world, despite having countries that largely supply nurses in other regions [ 2 ]. The Philippines alone supplied about 240 000 nurses to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries with an outflow of 15 000 to 20 000 nurses per year. This made the Philippines the largest supplier of nurses to OECD countries [ 2 ]. The high nurse-to-patient ratio and low wages were among the common reasons for Filipino nurses to work in other countries [ 2 ]. While it gave rise to a global diaspora of Filipino nurses, it also resulted in a low number and unequal distribution of nurses in the Philippines [ 2 ]. This migration and resignation of Filipino nurses from the Philippine health care system may have accelerated during the pandemic.

FILIPINO NURSES AMIDST THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

One year into the pandemic, recent news reports in the Philippines highlighted that Filipino nurses are resigning to work abroad. In the first two to three weeks of October 2021 alone, it was noted that about 5% to 10% of nurses working in private hospitals have resigned [ 3 ]. In another 2021 news report, a hospital director in a city mentioned that their nursing staff had decreased from 200 to 63 over the past year [ 4 ]. Overall, about 40% of nurses in private hospitals have resigned since the pandemic began [ 3 ]. Thus, hospitals in the Philippines may be understaffed due to the dwindling number of nurses during the pandemic.

Among the commonly cited reasons for the resignation remained to be low wages. An entry-level nurse working in a public hospital starts with a monthly salary of about PHP33 575 (about US$670), while those working in private hospitals may start with as little as PHP8000 (about US$160) [ 4 ]. These wages may not be enough to cover the cost of living in the Philippines. For example, the estimated cost of living in Metro Manila, the largest Philippine metropolitan area, is PHP50 798 (about US$1080) [ 5 ]. Some of the nurses even go to work without benefits and hazard pay, despite the heightened health risks and threats during the pandemic [ 4 ].

Photo: Filipino nurses’ daily routine during the COVID-19 pandemic (from Rowalt Alibudbud’s personal collection, used with permission).

GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO THE PLIGHT OF NURSES

Despite the need for livable wages and just benefits for Filipino nurses, the Philippine government responded by banning and limiting them from living and working abroad, so they could serve as a “reserve force” as the country navigates through the pandemic. This deployment ban was largely questioned due to its possible unconstitutionality, violation of the right to travel and earn a living wage and negative effect on the Philippine economy [ 6 ].

Nonetheless, some improvements have been done, such as the additional PHP500 (about US$10) daily allowance for health care workers who care for patients with COVID-19. However, its implementation has been met with confusion, dismay, and disappointment [ 7 , 8 ]. For instance, a 2020 news report showed that the daughter of a nurse who died from COVID-19 was appalled and dismayed when she claimed her mother’s hazard pay amounting to PHP7000 (about US$140) since she expected to receive PHP30 000 (about US$600) [ 7 ]. This was because the previously announced government daily allowance was reduced to PHP64 (about US$1.5) after it was adjusted for their city’s health budget and mandated deductions [ 7 ]. Amidst these news reports and the resignation of nurses, several health care worker groups have also highlighted that they were being forced to work long hours and had an inconsistent supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) [ 7 ].

A year after, the situation had seemingly remained the same, as disclosed by health care groups, with nurses forgoing their meals and bathroom breaks to save on PPEs. Moreover, it was reported that the promised additional compensation for health care workers had not been paid out. To them, “their working conditions are no longer humane” [ 8 ]. Thus, Filipino nurses seemed to be domestic captives in their own country. The barriers to escape are generally invisible and take form as economic, social, and legal subordination.

RESIGNATION AND MIGRATION: SENTIMENTS AND RESPONSES OF FILIPINO NURSES

Given the chronic understaffing, low wages, unsafe working conditions, and deployment bans, Filipino nurses have expressed their exhaustion and dismay with statements such as “We don't feel cared for” and “We feel exhausted...but we always keep in mind that we have to help our people because...no one else will” [ 3 , 4 ]. Eventually, some of them may leave the profession or try to go abroad since “it's really not worth being a nurse at home” [ 4 ]. This seemed to be the sentiment of nurses and other health care worker groups who have announced their mass resignation from the Philippine health care system amidst the COVID-19 pandemic [ 8 ]. While some were able to migrate, remaining nurses in the Philippines, as seen in private hospitals [ 4 ], may leave their profession to escape their seeming domestic captivity and socio-economic hardships amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, Filipino nurses may be free when they no longer work as “nurses”.

THE EFFECT OF THE RESIGNATION AND MIGRATION OF FILIPINO NURSES ON THE LOCAL COVID-19 RESPONSE

This flight of health care workers from health care institutions in the Philippines had severely affected the local COVID-19 response [ 3 , 4 ]. In 2021, hospitals in the country have already started to downsize their operations, not because of the lack of facilities or health equipment, but because of the lack of health care workers. Thus, despite the decreasing trends of COVID-19 in the country, hospitals remained fully occupied [ 3 , 4 ]. If allowed to worsen, the health care system may be overwhelmed by a new COVID-19 wave.

HONOUR AND VALUE AS “HEROES”

Generally, while health care workers have been hailed as “heroes” in the recent pandemic [ 9 ], honour without just wages, adequate staffing, and livable conditions will not sustain the responses to COVID-19. Given this, governments, policymakers, and health care institutions must be ever cognizant of the rights and needs of nurses and other health care workers. If these are not addressed, health care workers, as exemplified by the resignation of Filipino nurses, may leave their profession and institutions to seek opportunities where their work is valued, and their rights are upheld. As a result, health care systems may collapse in the face of a tremendously challenging situation such as the COVID-19 pandemic. There is, therefore, a need to reflect the health care heroes’ honour and value in specific programs and policies implemented amidst the pandemic. Overall, the resignation and migration of Filipino nurses amidst the COVID-19 pandemic may not only be an issue related to health and well-being but also rights and justice. Nonetheless, it must be addressed.

Funding: None declared.

Authorship contribution: RA is the sole author.

Competing interests: The author completed the ICMJE Unified Competing Interest Form (available upon request from the corresponding author) and declares no conflicts of interest.

Access to Healthcare in the Philippines: Addressing Disparities and Challenges

• April 11, 2023
• Health and Wellness

The Philippines faces significant challenges in providing adequate healthcare access to its population. Rural-urban disparities, limited funding, and a shortage of healthcare workers are some of the challenges that hinder access to healthcare.

This blog post will examine these disparities, explore the main challenges, and discuss potential solutions for access to healthcare in the Philippines. By increasing access to healthcare, we can build a healthier society for all Filipinos and promote equity for everyone regardless of background or income level.

Healthcare in the Philippines

The healthcare system in the Philippines has undergone major changes and improvements in recent years. Common medical issues, infectious diseases, and maternal health are now better covered and supported by the Filipinos. The nation’s healthcare institutions include a variety of both public and private providers. Around 180 hospitals that range in size from large regional teaching hospitals to smaller district hospitals offering primary care services.

There are some specialized institutes focusing on particular disciplines. In addition to traditional establishments for civil health, many innovative schemes have been implemented over the past few years. This is to ensure universal access to necessary health services including general frontline consultations at public healthcare centers.

Disparities in healthcare access in the Philippines

A massive disparity exists between those who have access to quality healthcare and those who do not. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the current health system in the Philippines is fragmented. With large portions of the population lacking access to consistent, high-quality care.

These disparities are particularly pronounced when looking at rural versus urban regions. Only 25% of rural Filipinos have access to needed health services compared with 46% of urban dwellers. This is due to both economic inequality and geographical barriers that make medical facilities difficult to reach.

Geographical barriers

The Philippines is characterized by pronounced geographical disparities in healthcare access. It is particularly because of its more than 7,641 islands. According to the Philippine Health Statistics report, an alarming number of communities remain underserved and lack access to leading-edge medical resources.

To bridge this gap, the country’s government works to advance healthcare infrastructure through initiatives. They introduce of mobile clinics and broader health insurance programs. However, despite new advances, many are still unable to receive the quality care they need. This is why further investment from both governmental institutions and private organizations remains essential for tackling this issue head-on.

Economic barriers

The Philippines is plagued by significant economic barriers in accessing healthcare. Many are forced to travel to other parts of the country or even overseas to seek proper treatment. It is due to a lack of access, resources, and funding in their immediate area. This leaves poorer citizens at an extreme disadvantage, unable to afford the medical assistance they require. These disparities put millions of Filipinos at risk for health complications. It is imperative for policymakers to prioritize closing these gaps so that all citizens have an equal opportunity to receive treatment.

Cultural and social barriers

The Philippine government’s attempts to improve healthcare access for all its citizens. The disparities remain in the quality and accessibility of medical care nationwide. Although remarkable progress has been made on public health initiatives in recent years. There are still significant cultural and social barriers that prevent Filipinos from accessing the care they need.

Factors such as poverty and geographical distance as well as religious beliefs, gender norms. Language proficiency play a major role in how much or how little people can access appropriate medical services. By understanding these barriers and working together, important steps can be taken to bridge the gaps.

Challenges facing healthcare in the Philippines

The Philippines is a country with an ever-growing population and healthcare system. However, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed. In order to ensure its citizens have access to quality medical care. While the government has made some efforts to improve the delivery of health services, more action needs to be taken. This is to ensure the rights and safety of Filipino patients are protected. Here are some of the challenges facing healthcare in the Philippines:

Lack of funding

The lack of funding is one of the primary challenges facing healthcare in the Philippines. A 2017 World Health Organization report revealed that the country’s medical sector had only around .90 MDG (Millennium Development Goal) spending per capita. This limited access to available resources has hampered efforts by hospitals and clinics to secure essential personnel.

Advanced technology, necessary medicines, health insurance for underprivileged patients, and so on. Drastic measures such as increased government spending or private sector initiatives are taken to fight this lack of funding. It is likely that many facilities within the country will continue to struggle.

Inadequate healthcare infrastructure

The lack of healthcare infrastructure in the Philippines is a major challenge faced by Filipinos. Inadequate public health services result in vulnerable populations being unable to access basic healthcare. Poor access to sanitation and clean water. Unhealthy environments and overcrowding further contribute to a high rate of disease. Disability and mortality amongst the population – especially children. Education around healthy lifestyle choices is often lacking due to limited access or resources available.

Rural communities may find it extremely difficult to receive necessary medical treatments. They face financial challenges such as costs associated with medical fees, transportation and lost wages. All of these challenges are subsidized by already strained government finances resulting in shorter hospital stays.

Shortage of healthcare professionals

The Filipino healthcare system is facing a shortage of healthcare professionals. This has resulted in heavy workloads for current professionals. Leading to burnout and decreased patient care and satisfaction. There are various reasons causing this lack of resources. This includes an aging population and the rise of more highly specialized areas of practice. The growing number of outpatient clinics, large private hospitals and medical tourism. There is an increased need for more medical personnel but recruitment levels have not kept up with demand.

Nurses have faced long hours, strained working conditions and low wages. Making it difficult to remain competitive against other countries. Addressing this shortage will be vital for improving the infrastructure and quality of care within the country. Employing strategies to increase recruitment, promoting equitable working relationships between medical personnel and employers.

Limited access to medicines and medical technologies

Limited access to medicines and medical technologies is one of the biggest challenges facing healthcare. Healthcare facilities, even in urban areas, are unable to equip themselves with the latest medicines, treatments and equipment. Most of the medications that are available are not always provided at subsidized rates. This means that poorer families struggle to access them.

To mitigate this problem, the country’s government should provide subsidies for medication. Ensure that hospitals and clinics have all the necessary equipment needed to diagnose and treat patients. They should also strive to open new healthcare facilities in remote or rural parts of the country in order to better address this issue. With concerted efforts from all stakeholders, it is possible for limited access to these key resources to be a thing of the past.

Steps towards addressing healthcare disparities and challenges in the Philippines

The healthcare system in the Philippines has gone through significant challenges throughout the years and addressing these disparities is much needed. Now, more than ever, there are a few steps that can be taken to meet the demands of such a complex and diverse population. With an approach that provides equitable access for all Filipinos, no matter where they are located, we can learn from previous mistakes and propel ourselves towards a brighter future in terms of healthcare infrastructure.

Improving healthcare funding

Government officials can introduce more efficient taxation systems that focus on increasing public spending for healthcare and reducing inequality between the public and private segments of the healthcare market. Philanthropic organizations can deploy novel initiatives to create a more equitable distribution of resources among vulnerable populations and fund research into technologies that facilitate better treatment methods.

It is essential that stakeholders from both sectors come together to increase investment in public health services, strengthen primary health care systems, and introduce new strategies for providing universal health coverage across the country. These approaches can help promote solidarity among countries in addressing the health challenges they face, ultimately improving overall outcomes in the well-being of Filipinos.

Expanding healthcare infrastructure

Investments should be made in building more hospitals and clinics, updating medical equipment, hiring more doctors and nurses, instituting new public health programs, and promoting preventive care. Furthermore, there must be an emphasis on training medical professionals to become specialists in rural healthcare so that more remote areas can access quality care.

Providing financial assistance to those most in need of basic health services can ensure equitable access to healthcare regardless of citizens’ economic standing or where they live. All these measures will require a unified effort of government institutions and private companies working together towards the same noble cause: bridging the gap between the country’s current healthcare infrastructure and its needs.

Addressing the healthcare professional shortage

In 2017, it was estimated that the country has around 1.2 physicians per 10,000 people, far lower compared to other countries in the region which have around 4-5 per 10,000 people. Improving this ratio is critical for delivering better quality of care and reducing health disparities between rural and urban populations. The government should focus on increasing the affordability of medical schools as well as increasing financial incentives for practicing in rural areas.

Programs such as ‘Doctors to the Barrios’ could help incentivize doctors to practice in rural or remote communities while expanding professional opportunities such as telehealth or mobile clinics can also help improve primary health services. Establishing mentorship programs may also be helpful in encouraging students to choose careers related to healthcare professions while continuing education programs can provide equality in access to advanced training amongst both urban and rural professionals.

Enhancing access to medicines and medical technologies

This can be done through a robust multi-sectoral partnership that includes the government, industry, civil society, and funders. Involving the community in decision-making, launching awareness campaigns on health risks, developing innovative financing mechanisms, implementing trade policies to reduce costs of medicines and increasing resources towards healthcare infrastructure are some of the key measures that can be taken to ensure greater access to medicines and medical environments.

With a shared commitment among stakeholders at all levels, progress can certainly be made towards bridging existing gaps between healthcare services received by different population groups or regions.

Community-based healthcare programs

These programs facilitate activities at the local level to ensure equitable access to high-quality primary care services and health-related goods, as well as provide education regarding healthcare and disease prevention practices. These initiatives strive to create an environment of trust and collaboration between community members, health professionals, policy makers, and other relevant stakeholders.

By actively engaging with local communities, these programs can address critical needs within the health system while seeking to include voices that have historically been neglected. This strengthens population health outcomes by bringing accessible healthcare right to where people live.

In Conclusion

Access to healthcare in the Philippines is still a challenge, but with initiatives such as increasing medical coverage and investing in long-term infrastructure goals, the country is making progress. A focused emphasis on educating both communities and policy makers is also important for raising awareness of healthcare disparities and providing equitable access to care.

To achieve success in closing the gap of unequal access to healthcare, it’s necessary that resources are directed towards empowering communities and building strong healthcare systems that can deliver quality services. With investment, addressing unmet needs will become a reality, ultimately leading to healthier more productive lives for everyone.

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Healthcare ethics in PH

Caring for the health of people is a most sensitive and demanding profession because it directly affects life itself and the quality of a person’s existence. For this reason, as can be gleaned from inscriptions on ancient clay tablets, medical practice has been reserved for the most respected, credible, ethical and compassionate intellectuals in the community. Which gives us an idea of how the medical profession was looked up to since time immemorial.

The clay tablets were found by a German archaeologist among the artifacts recovered from an excavation of ruins in the Sumerian city of Babylonia. The German archaeologist discovered the ruins under the Arabian desert between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers of Mesopotamia.

In Greek mythology, Hammurabi and Asclepius, both physicians, became gods after death because they were benevolent icons of power and good behavior. But since physicians in those days came from rich, influential and powerful families, Hippocrates, a Greek philosopher and a genius with foresight, had some reservations about the profession, which he expressed during a council meeting: “Who will watch the gods in their activities?” So, he composed the Hippocratic Oath, which became the creed by which doctors have lived by through centuries and generations, and up till now.

In modern times, medical practice has become more complex, comprehensive and far-reaching but, fortunately, more precise and effective because modern technology can now clearly demonstrate the absence of disease; or can define its extent or limits whenever or wherever it is a problem. Indeed, modern technology can indicate the consequence of treatment by serial monitoring. Ergo, the diagnosis and management of illness have become more definitive because it is evidence-based. Erstwhile, the art of healthcare relied on experience and crude technology support.

In the Philippines, the quality of healthcare has been upgraded to international levels because of the 150,000 Filipino physicians spread around the world, 80,000 have opted to establish their practice at home. Many of them pursued postgraduate training overseas but they decided to return home and have diversified their fields of interest. And they have not limited themselves to private practice; they have ventured into government service and the academe as well.

Because of excellent nursing care, together with modern pharmaceutical remedies, reliable paramedical assistance and technological facilities, all of which are accessible in the country’s modern medical centers, healthcare service in the Philippines has been categorized as world-class.

Health maintenance organizations subsidize excellent healthcare and has enabled a larger number of patients with limited budgets for health to access the same. Which in effect has extended the life span of the Filipino from 40 years before World War II to 70 years at present.

Contributory to good quality healthcare and its resultant wellness is the strict ethical mode required of health providers. For physicians, the ethics of medical practice include:

1) appearance and behavior, which should be beyond reproach;

2) medical knowledge and expertise, which should be updated;

3) ability to determine, with the aid of modern technology, the state of health of the patient, the absence or presence of illness, what is necessary to restore health, what would be the outcome if treatment is administered, or the consequence if no remedy is instituted, and how much it will cost to underwrite the proposed necessary healthcare;

4) cordial relationship with their colleagues and other healthcare providers;

5) mindset and ability to work together in harmony and mutual respect in the delivery of healthcare;

6) primary concern for the welfare of the patient, with professional fees only a secondary consideration and commensurate to patient’s capacity to pay;

7) readiness to cooperate with the authorities in promoting and providing community healthcare.

The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) oversees the ethical, moral and legal responsibilities of physicians, as provided for in the Medical Act of 1959, as amended. Because physicians are also human, it is possible for them to commit errors in their practice and in their service to patients. Such incidents do happen occasionally— given the human factor of healthcare. But as part of its public service, the PMA has set up a structure through which aggrieved parties can seek redress.

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Santiago A. del Rosario, MD, a former president of the Philippine Medical Association, currently chairs the association’s ethics commission.

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120+ controversial health care essay topics, dr. wilson mn.

• August 3, 2022
• Essay Topics and Ideas , Samples

If you are a nursing student looking for medical argumentative essay topics, or health essay topics in general, you understand how crucial it is to choose controversial subjects you can explore in-depth. Your grade will depend not just on the content, but also how convincingly you support your stance through research and credible sources. That’s why it’s vital to pick topics that fascinate you and make your essay more engaging to write.(120+ Controversial Health Care Essay Topics)

When seeking healthcare or physical health argumentative essay topics for college or high school, consider aspects that provoke debate like alternative medicine instead of mainstream treatments, the role of pharmaceutical companies, or whether routine childhood vaccines should be mandatory. Mental health care accessibility, managing terminal illnesses, public health policies’ effectiveness, or the pros and cons of telemedicine also offer fertile ground.

Another avenue is examining ethical issues within the health field that nurses and doctors face, like prioritizing patient well-being over their wishes, rationing limited resources, confidentiality and privacy concerns, medical practices that conflict with personal beliefs, or the ethics of an organ transplantation committee deciding who will receive an organ.

It’s often wise to choose a topic ideas that connect to your own identity, environment, or experiences. You might explore health disparities among different populations, argue for promoting healthy lifestyles and inclusivity, or discuss impacts of issues like obesity, pollution’s role in disease, or health insurance costs.

For a master’s level paper, you could compare and contrast two healthcare systems, analyze a pandemic’s effects, delve into environmental health factors like air quality, or evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of measures like an assisted suicide mandate.

No matter the topic, select one that resonates with you and suits your needs for this next paper. Avoid overly broad subjects until you have strong writing skills and critical thinking abilities. With laser focus through tools like a mind map, you can craft an argumentative essay that showcases your knowledge in the field of medical research while supporting your arguments using credible sources.

If you are running out of time on your research paper, feel free to request for writing services from our professional writers.

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What You'll Learn

Strong Medical Argumentative Essay Topics

To help you get started, here are some strong Healthcare argumentative essay topics to consider:

• Is there a nurse shortage in the United States? If so, what are the causes, and what can be done to mitigate it?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of various types of Nurse staffing models?
• What are the implications of the current opioid epidemic on nurses and patients?
• Are there any ethical considerations that should be taken into account when providing care to terminally ill patients?
• What are the most effective ways to prevent or treat healthcare-acquired infections?
• Should nurses be allowed to prescribe medication? If so, under what circumstances?
• How can nurses best advocate for their patients’ rights?
• What is the role of nurses in disaster relief efforts?
• The high cost of healthcare in the United States.
• The debate over whether or not healthcare is a human right.
• The role of the government in providing healthcare.
• The pros and cons of the Affordable Care Act.
• The impact of healthcare on the economy.
• The problem of access to healthcare in rural areas.
• The debate over single-payer healthcare in the United States.
• The pros and cons of private health insurance.
• The rising cost of prescription drugs in the United States.
• The use of medical marijuana in the United States.
• The debates over end-of-life care and assisted suicide in the United States.

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controversial health research topics to write

There is no shortage of controversial healthcare topics to write about. From the high cost of insurance to the debate over medical marijuana, there are plenty of issues to spark an interesting and thought-provoking argumentative essay.

Here are some Controversial healthcare argumentative essay topics to get you started:

1. Is healthcare a right or a privilege?

2. Should the government do more to regulate the healthcare industry?

3. What is the best way to provide quality healthcare for all?

4. Should medical marijuana be legalized?

5. How can we control the rising cost of healthcare?

6. Should cloning be used for medical research?

7. Is it ethical to use stem cells from embryos?

8. How can we improve access to quality healthcare?

9. What are the implications of the Affordable Care Act?

10. What role should pharmaceutical companies play in healthcare?

11. The problems with the current healthcare system in the United States.

12. The need for reform of the healthcare system in the United States.

Great healthcare argumentative essay topics

Healthcare is a controversial and complex issue, and there are many different angles that you can take when writing an argumentative essay on the topic. Here are some great healthcare argumentative essay topics to get you started:

• Should the government provide free or low-cost healthcare to all citizens?
• Is private healthcare better than public healthcare?
• Should there be more regulation of the healthcare industry?
• Are medical costs too high in the United States?
• Should all Americans be required to have health insurance?
• How can the rising cost of healthcare be controlled?
• What is the best way to provide healthcare to aging Americans?
• What role should the government play in controlling the cost of prescription drugs?
• What impact will the Affordable Care Act have on the healthcare system in the United States?

Hot healthcare argumentative essay topics for college

Healthcare is always a hot-button issue. Whether it’s the Affordable Care Act, single-payer healthcare, or something else entirely, there’s always plenty to debate when it comes to healthcare. Here are some great healthcare argumentative essay topics to help get you started.

1. Is the Affordable Care Act working?

2. Should the government do more to provide healthcare for its citizens?

3. Should there be a single-payer healthcare system in the United States?

4. What are the pros and cons of the Affordable Care Act?

5. What impact has the Affordable Care Act had on healthcare costs in the United States?

6. Is the Affordable Care Act sustainable in the long run?

7. What challenges does the Affordable Care Act face?

8. What are the potential solutions to the problems with the Affordable Care Act?

9. Is single-payer healthcare a good idea?

10. What are the pros and cons of single-payer healthcare?

Related articles: 30+ Medical Argumentative Essay Topics for College Students

Argumentative topics related to health care

Healthcare is always an ever-evolving issue. It’s one of those topics that everyone has an opinion on and is always eager to discuss . That’s why it makes for such a great topic for an argumentative essay . If you’re looking for some fresh ideas, here are some great healthcare argumentative essay topics to get you started.

1. Is our healthcare system in need of a complete overhaul?

3. Are rising healthcare costs making it difficult for people to access care?

4. Is our current healthcare system sustainable in the long term?

5. Should we be doing more to prevent disease and promote wellness?

6. What role should the private sector play in providing healthcare?

7. What can be done to reduce the number of errors in our healthcare system?

8. How can we make sure that everyone has access to quality healthcare?

9. What can be done to improve communication and collaboration between different parts of the healthcare system?

10. How can we make sure that everyone has access to the care they need when they need it?

Argumentative essay topics about health

There are many different stakeholders in the healthcare debate, and each one has their own interests and perspectives. Here are some great healthcare argumentative essay topics to get you started:

1. Who should pay for healthcare?

2. Is healthcare a right or a privilege?

3. What is the role of the government in healthcare?

4. Should there be limits on what treatments insurance companies must cover?

5. How can we improve access to healthcare?

6. What are the most effective methods of preventing disease?

7. How can we improve the quality of care in our hospitals?

8. What are the best ways to control costs in the healthcare system?

9. How can we ensure that everyone has access to basic care?

10. What are the ethical implications of rationing healthcare?

Argumentative health essay topics

• Is healthcare a fundamental human right?

2. Should there be limits on medical research using human subjects?

3. Should marijuana be legalized for medicinal purposes?

4. Should the government do more to regulate the use of prescription drugs?

5. Is alternative medicine effective?

6. Are there benefits to using placebos in medical treatment?

7. Should cosmetic surgery be covered by health insurance?

8. Is it ethical to buy organs on the black market?

9. Are there risks associated with taking herbal supplements?

10. Is it morally wrong to end a pregnancy?

11. Should physician-assisted suicide be legal?

12. Is it ethical to test new medical treatments on animals?

13. Should people with terminal illnesses have the right to end their lives?

14. Is it morally wrong to sell organs for transplantation?

15. Are there benefits to using stem cells from embryos in medical research?

16. Is it ethical to use human beings in medical experiments?

17. Should the government do more to fund medical research into cancer treatments?

18. Are there risks associated with genetic engineering of humans?

19. Is it ethical to clones humans for the purpose

Argumentative essays on mental health

• Should there be more focus on mental health in schools?
• Are our current treatments for mental illness effective?
• Are mental health disorders more common now than they were in the past?
• How does social media impact mental health?
• How does trauma impact mental health?
• What are the most effective treatments for PTSD?
• Is therapy an effective treatment for mental illness?
• What causes mental illness?
• How can we destigmatize mental illness?
• How can we better support those with mental illness?
• Should insurance companies cover mental health treatments?
• What are the most effective treatments for depression?
• Should medication be used to treat mental illness?
• What are the most effective treatments for anxiety disorders?
• What are the most effective treatments for OCD?
• What are the most effective treatments for eating disorders?
• What are the most effective treatments for bipolar disorder?
• How can we better support caregivers of those with mental illness?
• What role does stigma play in mental illness?

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Philippines Argumentative Essays Samples For Students

7 samples of this type

WowEssays.com paper writer service proudly presents to you an open-access directory of Philippines Argumentative Essays intended to help struggling students tackle their writing challenges. In a practical sense, each Philippines Argumentative Essay sample presented here may be a pilot that walks you through the important stages of the writing process and showcases how to pen an academic work that hits the mark. Besides, if you need more visionary help, these examples could give you a nudge toward a fresh Philippines Argumentative Essay topic or inspire a novice approach to a banal issue.

In case this is not enough to quench the thirst for effective writing help, you can request customized assistance in the form of a model Argumentative Essay on Philippines crafted by a pro writer from scratch and tailored to your specific directives. Be it a plain 2-page paper or a profound, lengthy piece, our writers specialized in Philippines and related topics will deliver it within the pre-set period. Buy cheap essays or research papers now!

Argumentative Essay On Corruption In The Marcos Presidency

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Home / Essay Samples / Health / Teenage Pregnancy / Teenage Pregnancy Issue in the Philippines

Teenage Pregnancy Issue in the Philippines

• Category: Government , Health
• Topic: Philippine Government , Pregnancy , Teenage Pregnancy

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Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012

Prevention of adolescent pregnancy act of 2020, a stagnant culture that does not allow open-mindedness, availability of contraceptives.

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