Tura, Roselle C.

15/03/2011
BSIT 3SE-A Economics

The effects of Philippine Health Situations to Economy

The public health system of the Philippines has undergone several

transformations. The concepts and principles may still be the same, but the face and
structure have to change in order to address the changing needs of the society.
In year 2010, there were cases reported that greatly called the attention of the
Philippine government regarding the health of the Filipino people. Numerous cases
where reported due to natural calamities and exported viruses from other countries.
Regarding this matter, the Philippine health system is now at the major reforms as it
tries to confront old and emerging health challenges. The health of the Filipinos and the
communities is still threatened by our lingering problems like major infectious killers and
the wide disparities that exist between the rich and the poor in terms of access to health
care.
The Department of Health (DOH) today remains persistent in its expertise to
provide the leadership in reducing the health inequalities and empowering the Filipino
people through better targeting of services, better health education and promotion and
more reasonable distribution of health benefits particularly for our poorest people.
The Department of Health (DOH) took a valiant step towards expanding the
performance of the health sector by improving the way health services are being
provided and financed. The program is commonly known as the Health Sector Reform
Agenda (HSRA). This program mainly expands to the effective coverage of national and
local public health programs, increase access and reduces financial affliction.
Local Health Systems Development reassures the progress of the local health
systems where interacting between municipal and provincial health facilities. These
requirements are functional and sustained by cooperation and cost sharing among
Local Government Units.
In the same manner that the Department of Health (DOH) and the public health
system have evolved into what it is now in response to the challenges of the times, so
public health agents practice had been influenced by the global and local health
practices. In the light of the changing national and global health situation and the
acknowledgement of the agents is a significant contributor of health, they are
strategically positioned to make a difference in the health outcomes of individuals,
families and to the communities.
Health regulatory reforms strengthen the DOH to exercise its regulatory function
to ensure that health products, devices and facilities are safe, affordable, and good
quality. Besides, it also exercise technical leadership of in disease prevention and
control, enhance the effectiveness of the local public health delivery systems.
 In connection to this, the Australian assisted the Philippines which focus on
economic growth, basic education and national stability and human security. Attached
to this assistance is the enhance disaster response capabilities. By working with the
Philippine government and the public, it would provide better protection from natural
disasters, climate change and emergencies. Australia will support reconstruction efforts,
early warning systems and disaster preparedness in response to the devastation
caused by natural calamities. Moreover, Australia’s aid will also provide support as the
impacts of the global recession unfold in the Philippines.
As a result, across Mindanao, 246 communities (over 24, 000 people) now have
improved access to basic infrastructure and economic opportunities. Former rebels now
act as peace advocates and lead planning and resource mobilization efforts for their
respective communities.
The Philippine health care delivery system is composed of two sectors – public
sector and private sector. Public sector is largely financed through a tax – based
budgeting system at both local and national levels where the health care is generally
given free at point of service. Private sector on the other hand is largely market –
oriented and where health care is paid through user fees at the point of service.
As mentioned earlier, poverty has become one of the inequalities occurred in the
Philippine health. It is a significant problem as in combination with high income
inequality. It poses a serious threat to stability in the Philippines. So the poor people use
the public sector as a system. Yet in most cases, poor people need to be confined in a
private sector since it has a more advance technologies. More advance medicines and
vaccines were also present. Public Health functions represent public goods, with this,
governments would need to ensure the provision of these essential functions but would
not necessarily have to implement and finance them.
Public sector consists of national and local government agencies providing health
services. At the National level, the Department of Health (DOH) is authorized as the
lead agency of health. Private sector includes the for-profit and non-profit health
providers. Their involvement in maintaining the people’s health is massive. This
includes medicines, vaccines, medical supplies, equipment, nutrition products, research
and development, human resource development and other health-related services.
The economic growth of the Philippines has not been strong enough to speed up
the step of poverty indication. This is in turn would impact on the country’s progress.
The natural disasters that strike the country continue to exploit economic gains and
obstruct growth potential.
In contrast, the improvement of maternal health will not met on the current
trends. The decline in the number of maternal deaths per 1000,000 live births has
slowed down: from 209 deaths in 19993, maternal morality ratio went down to 172 in
1998, and in 2006 to only 162. At this slow rate for currently married women aged 15 –
44. However, at this rate, the 2015 target of 100 per cent access is difficult to achieve.
 Philippines have made considerable progress towards struggling malaria and are
likely to meet its target of 24 malaria cases per 100,000 by 2015. There is a significant
reduction of 32 per cent in malaria cases and 86 per cent in malaria deaths in 12
provinces in Mindanao through support to the Roll Back Malaria project since 2004. The
project has benefited an estimated6 million people living in malarial areas.
Overpopulation has also been the reason of reduction of good health. High
population growth, which averaged 2 per cent annually over the past decade, and
places additional strain on the cost of household living and demand for basic services.
Immunization of over 213,000 children from vaccine-preventable diseases, and the
immunization of more than 700,000 children under age 6 against polio, in 10 provinces
in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Another issue is the existence of AH1N1 influenza virus. This affects the
Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) with is usually working to help their families left here.
They are vulnerable to natural disasters and civil unrest which adversely affects
livelihoods. The moment this virus occurs, there’s no antidote to kill the virus and cure
the patient.
The recent change in political leadership provides the Philippines with the chance
to revitalize the health care system. This is in line with the administration’s thrust to
prioritize delivery of services to the masses and improve the quality of life of all Filipinos,
especially the poor. The differences in health status among various groups and regions
in the country have widened through years. These disparities indicate deficient
economic and social policies, showing the need to reprioritize interventions to promote
equity, fairness and immediate action.