Alternative medicine pushed

The rising cost of prescription drugs and health consultations continues to rise and the poor can no longer afford to buy even the simple paracetamol.

Two laws the National Health Insurance Act (RA 7875), the Alternative Health Law (RA 8423) -- were enacted to support the "Health for All" program of government.

But these laws have never been fully implemented, thus causing a backlog in health care delivery, according to Dr. Jose Tamayo, president and chief executive of the University of Perpetual Help System.

He said the Alternative Health Care law enjoins faith healers, herbolarios, allied health workers and midwives to enhance their competencies.

Tamayo noted, however, that funds for extensive research as to the viability of about 5,000 local medicinal plants and herbs have not been set aside.

He pointed out that health care delivery is not the sole domain and responsibility of hospitals and doctors, but should be delivered in accordance with law. In a recent gab of doctors and medical schools, Tamayo said academe, hospitals and doctors would be remiss in their obligation to include other health providers if they did not tackle integrative healing.

Tamayo said, on top of this, Philhealth only guarantees a basic package of P3,000 to P30,000 and beyond the basic deal, HMOs, NGOs, can also deliver but it has to be arranged with these groups.