Immediately after the news broke that three doctors died due to COVID-19, people took their frustration to Twitter and were quick to blame patients for their failure to divulge accurate health and travel history. For many, this alleged ’lie’ caused the life of an unsung hero who was at the frontline battling the pandemic. A … Continue reading Foster collaborative relationships
Philippines
The frontline
As a nurse, waking up each day is a struggle knowing that there is a high risk for us to acquire the disease. However, we are constantly reminded of our duty to the people. That it is our duty and responsibility to help those in need, especially the poor, weak, and vulnerable. Times like this … Continue reading The frontline
Nudging in health care
We saw a dramatic change in people’s behavior brought about by information (and misinformation) regarding the worldwide spread of COVID-19. People began clamoring for more health information and others started wearing surgical face masks to protect themselves. Following advice from the Department of Health, several organizations cancelled their scheduled conferences and conventions this year. What … Continue reading Nudging in health care
Foreign ownership in the health care market
The proposed measure to allow foreign ownership of transportation and telecommunication services clearly sets a precedent for other public services in the Philippines, such as health care. Opening the Philippine health care market to foreign ownership, obviously, has potential benefits including employment opportunities, better provision of health services, and health technology exchange. Foreign ownership of … Continue reading Foreign ownership in the health care market
Unpaved road to UHC
Almost every day I see patients (or their relatives) looking for stretcher beds as there are no longer available beds in the emergency room. This scenario, I suppose, will persist even when hospital renovations are finished this year. While increasing the hospital's bed capacity potentially decreases waiting time for patients, no amount of beds will … Continue reading Unpaved road to UHC
Pen Point 45
In poor countries such as the Philippines, where labor is cheap and work conditions are poor, the need for subsistence often takes away an individual's capacity to choose.
Call for fair and adequate hazard pay
How much is the price of upholding the rights of nurses in the country? For some, it costs nothing. Nurses are at the frontline of the health care delivery system. They become the first and last health workers in contact with patients and their families. As such, nurses are exposed to low- and high-risk hazards … Continue reading Call for fair and adequate hazard pay
Pen Point 41
We have the money. But we also have politicians who are in their "right" minds to know what/who to prioritize: their selfish interests. Never the country nor their countrymen.
Urban health in the Philippines: a reflection of poverty-related health inequities
Urbanization is rapidly increasing around the world. Data from the United Nations (UN) estimate that by 2050, the world’s population will exceed nine billion, and 67% of which will live in urban areas. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) believes that half of the world’s population live in cities. Sadly, this proportion is irreversibly growing … Continue reading Urban health in the Philippines: a reflection of poverty-related health inequities
Thoughts on the lowering of MACR
I cannot seem to understand why there is "clamor" among policy makers to decrease MACR in the Philippines when the global trend is to increase it. I stand with the position of professional and civic groups opposing the proposed measure. First, we need to consider evidence that children below 15 or 12 years old may … Continue reading Thoughts on the lowering of MACR
Pens & Needles 