I read the PDI article “300 nursing graduates hired to fill nurse gap, says Palace advisory council” (02/23/2024) while in a meeting at the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) Headquarters in Manila. I was with more than 20 nursing leaders who were convened by PNA to discuss the many issues faced by nurses in the Philippines. One of which is the “shortage” of nurses in health facilities. We are producing an adequate … Continue reading Beyond Band-Aids: Addressing the True Crisis in Philippine Nursing
Seeking Gender Equality in the Global Health Workforce
Sharing this think piece co-written with Kim Sales and Analyne Rapa Ignacio published today by Think Global Health. Happy International Women's Day! #Gender #Women #IWD2024 "Women's significant contributions to global health underscores the importance of gender-inclusive health workforce policies. By adopting a gender perspective, policymakers can better understand and address the unique challenges that women … Continue reading Seeking Gender Equality in the Global Health Workforce
Regulatory framework for task shifting in health-care system needed
The Philippines faces a challenge in its pursuit of universal health care, particularly in rural and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, where access to essential services is impeded by the shortage and maldistribution of health-care professionals. The growing burden of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, warrants the implementation of innovative solutions. It is … Continue reading Regulatory framework for task shifting in health-care system needed
Encourage nurses to stay and practice in the Philippines
I read the PDI article “300 nursing graduates hired to fill nurse gap, says Palace advisory council” (02/23/2024) while in a meeting at the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) Headquarters in Manila. I was with more than 20 nursing leaders who were convened by PNA to discuss the many issues faced by nurses in the Philippines. … Continue reading Encourage nurses to stay and practice in the Philippines
Protect the youth from the harms of tobacco
Research using data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey of the Philippines (https://doi.org/10.18332/popmed/143526) indicates a notable association: adolescents aged 13 to 15 years who are not exposed to anti-tobacco messages or health warnings on cigarette packages are more likely to continue using tobacco. Moreover, the likelihood of these adolescents continuing to use any form of tobacco in the next 12 months is 24% higher among those who have not seen health warnings on … Continue reading Protect the youth from the harms of tobacco
Scale up local models to broaden tobacco control
As the WHO FCTC Conference of Parties concluded in Panama, the significance of subnational initiatives in tobacco control, especially in policy enforcement, cannot be overemphasized. Our local efforts, from establishing comprehensive smoke-free zones in Mandaluyong to the proactive monitoring and reduction of public exposure to tobacco campaigns in the regions, highlight the critical role of grassroots strategies in the global fight against tobacco. This necessitates further empowerment of local governments … Continue reading Scale up local models to broaden tobacco control
Task shifting achieve universal health care
The Philippines faces a challenge in its pursuit of universal health care, particularly in rural and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, where access to essential services is impeded by the shortage and maldistribution of healthcare professionals. The growing burden of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, warrants the implementation of innovative solutions. It is in this context that theWorld Health Organization has endorsed task … Continue reading Task shifting achieve universal health care
PGH mirrors state of health care in the PH
In the past months, the public has seen what should’ve been unimaginable pictures of the state of health service delivery in the country’s premier tertiary hospital, the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). Sadly, what we currently see in PGH mirrors the problems of the country’s health care system. There are several problems in our health care … Continue reading PGH mirrors state of health care in the PH
Don’t end PhilHealth, help improve its structure and services instead
This is in reference to the editorial “End PhilHealth monopoly” (9/23/22). While I concur that employees should have the option to choose their health insurance provider, it would be irresponsible to agree with all the statements of said article. The country’s social health insurance (SHI) program is run by PhilHealth. The main characteristic that sets … Continue reading Don’t end PhilHealth, help improve its structure and services instead
Access to resources still a problem for researchers
In the past years, we have observed growing investments in health research. The importance of this has been further emphasized during the pandemic. Even then, there remains limited availability of research infrastructure and facilities that stand as a barrier to the production of quality research outputs. Moreover, researchers frequently find themselves competing for a handful … Continue reading Access to resources still a problem for researchers
Pens & Needles 