How do you assess the quality of medical care in our country today?

It must be terrible now because our doctors are going to other countries not as doctors anymore but as nurses. – Romeo Caubat, Masbate

Medical services in the country must be bad. Why else would rich and the politicians go abroad for treatment or checkup? – Vic Alim, Caloocan City

Effects of brain drain

It’s deteriorating, for the lure of the greenback is so tempting to our medical practitioners that the exodus of the best sees no end. – Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City

In a country such as ours, where almost the entire cost is shouldered by the patient, the quality of medical care cannot be accurately assessed. We may have the best facilities and the best medical practitioners but it always boils down to the capability of the patient to bear the cost and his attitude towards treatment requirement. For example, when an outpatient is prescribed 21 capsules of an expensive drug, he buys and takes only a few at a time and stops the medication at just the initial onset of a felt relief, causing the sickness to recur later. But today, we should fear the grim future of medical care here. The ranks of good doctors and nurses are now depleted due to the current wave of brain drain that has swept away our experienced and most able professionals. May God save us! – I. Calata, Parañaque City

Only for the rich

Top private hospitals are equipped with world-class doctors and facilities while government hospitals are sadly pathetic. – Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City

No offense intended, but if one wants good medical care nowadays, he/she must be willing and able to pay the price of private hospitals. – Jun Cajucom, Tacloban City

The quality of medical care in our country is the best that money can buy. I repeat – It’s the best that money can buy. Sa madaling sabi, kapag may pera ka, may quality. Pag wala, manigas ka! In the US, citizens get the best care with health insurance. Dito, wala! – Gerii Calupitan, Mandaluyong City

Medical care is good when you have money, but bad when you have none. – Larry Erfe, Quezon City

We have superb doctors, nurses and five-star accommodations for those who “can afford.” The “can’t afford” have to resign themselves to ill-lighted hospital corridors for accommodations and resetas of medicine they can’t afford to buy. – Rey Onate, Palayan City

We have the best doctors and the best hospitals, but only for those who can pay more. Being indigent means delayed medication. – Eric Gopilan, Taguig City

It is at par with progressive countries, if you are rich; unexplainable, if you are poor. – Dr. Manolo Cristi, Quezon City

The quality of medical care is like blister packs of varying dosages, dispensed in proportion to patients’ pockets, where deep or branded ones are prescribed superiority while regular or generic pockets merely merit inferior treatment. – Geoffrey Gumban, Davao City

Medical care in the Philippines depends on the patients’ status: The best care for the rich who can afford, while less care for the poor. – Rudy Tagimacruz, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

The quality of medical care depends on our capability to pay; a pity for those who cannot afford. – Ed Alawi, Davao City

Medical care here is superb if you’re rich, but miserable if you’re poor. The solution is government subsidy. – Ric Vergara, Calamba

Medical care is a question of money. So, go to the best hospital your money can buy. Otherwise, be prepared to die. – N. Campaner, Tacloban City

It’s like there’s a “no money, no entry” sign in hospitals nowadays. – K.N. Pineda, Pampanga

Poorly equipped

Filipino medical practitioners are good, but hospital conditions and lack of facilities render them inefficient. – Julio Ibon, Laoag City

Our hospitals are poorly equipped, except for a few. Most hospitals still use antiquated x-ray, ultrasound and other such machines. Some patients have to be brought to another hospital because of lack of equipment. It takes days for important lab results to come out. Without good equipment, doctors cannot diagnose well. – Robert Young Jr., San Juan

The quality of medical care, in general, is very much wanting in technology and advanced practical applications. – M. Sunico, Metro Manila

The majority of provincial hospitals and clinics lack medical facilities and doctors. – T. Manalastas, Manila

Below par

It’s below par. If the government will conduct an audit on all government hospitals, they would discover skeletons in the closets. – Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan

Any mediocre physician can set up a clinic and practice medicine with no government supervision. – Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City

Medical care in the Philippines leaves much to be desired. The cheap medicines bill has yet to be approved by the House of Representatives. – Leonard Villa, Laoag City

The quality of medical care is hampered by low DOH funding; high medical costs; and hospitals so substandard they’re not even Third World. – Jim Veneracion, Naga City

Among the world’s best

Excellent. Our medical practitioners are considered among the best in the world. – C. Manalastas, Manila

In terms of medical expertise, we can consider that we are one of the best in Asia. Our doctors and nurses are very much in-demand in the US and other parts of the world. Unfortunately, the doctors here are being paid far below what other countries offer them. This is one reason why some hospitals are short-staffed. Poor Filipinos can’t afford good medical care in private hospitals due to the high cost of medical fees and medicines. Our government hospitals, on the other hand, are not enough to render quality medical services. Our lawmakers should look into this situation instead of bickering in non-stop useless Senate investigations. – Manuel Canlas, Connecticut, USA

We have many private hospitals that offer excellent medical care services and high-tech equipment. – June Deoferio, Cavite

The skill level of general practitioners and specialists is good, if not better than in other countries. In some areas, modern medical equipment enables our doctors to perform treatments and procedures. – Johann Lucas, Quezon City

Our medical care is just fine, because our country is not rich compared to other countries. Let’s hope it could improve more. – Gerry de Cano, Tarlac

Medical care is too expensive

If there are statistics on major operations, perhaps we’d see that we are the highest per capita. How else can doctors drive the most expensive cars? – Ed Alawi, Davao City

The quality of medical care is sufficient but generally expensive. Is our government engaged in finding better solutions than the massive “preventive” information campaign we see on TV and in print media? – Ed Medenilla, Pangasinan

The best treatment is extremely expensive, so many people go to cheaper places as an alternative – still with the help of PCSO. Kaya nga bawal magkasakit. – Felix Ramento, Nueva Ecija

With the high cost of hospitalization, bawal magkasakit ngayon. Paano na ang kalusugan ng mga mahihirap na umaasa na lang sa ating gobyerno? – C.P. Gaspar, Laoag City

It’s very expensive. It makes one think twice about medical consultations. Many are resorting to self-medication and reliance on herbal products. – Joseph Aliviado, Cebu City

We have world-class doctors and hospitals but only the rich can afford them. This is why suppliers of herbal supplements are experiencing brisk sales, with matching endorsements from showbiz people, despite the caveat “No approved therapeutic claims” stamped on their boxes. – Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan

Hospitals are short-staffed

More important than the quality of medical care is the lack of doctors to serve the hungry and sick citizenry. My sister is a municipal doctor and her husband-doctor is with the district hospital. Both are now 65 and have to retire. My sister will work in a private hospital, while her husband was given a “casual” status by the governor. They don’t have replacements yet. Why not amend the law to extend their services for another five years? – Rodolfo Capili, Caloocan City

Many of our doctors, nurses and other medical personnel have left the country for high-paying jobs abroad. For lack of doctors and nurses, many private hospitals have been forced to shut down. We cannot expect better medical care, and I’m afraid we’ll need the services of arbularyos again. – E. Linsangan, Isabela

The DOH needs to re-assess

It’s not in good shape and the DOH needs to exert more effort. – James Gaw, Quezon City

The quality of medical care in our country has become so poor that DOH should re-assess its implemented programs. – Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City

Profit, not service-oriented

Medical care, particularly for low-income people, has been sharply deteriorating for so many years that the exhortation “Bawal magkasakit!” is very apt. Countless deaths of patients were reported in government hospitals due to overcrowded facilities; lack of medicine; and the decreasing number of experienced staff, as nurses and doctors are leaving for better-paying jobs abroad. Even private hospitals seem more concerned about making money than providing service. There are many poor patients who were reportedly refused admittance because they couldn’t cough up cash deposits, despite laws banning such acts. The Hippocratic Oath has lost its relevance to many doctors. – William Gonzaga, Marikina City

The quality of medical care is a reflection of our diploma mill educational system due to our profit, rather than service-oriented character! – Delfin Todcor, Mt. Province

We’re all just making do

It’s sad and frustrating that quality is directly proportional to cost most of the time. In some countries, government-run medical facilities are some of the best. Unfortunately, that has not been true in the Philippines for a very long time now. Of course, I have to applaud our medical professionals who, although qualified to work for the best hospitals, still choose to offer their services for lower prices. I am just deeply saddened and, I admit, sometimes sickened to know how much low-cost clinics and hospitals have to practice unsanitary or cruder methods just to save on finances. – Francesca Niegas, Olongapo City

We don’t have a choice

No matter how dissatisfied with the medical care we get nowadays, they are still our last recourse when the time comes for treatment. – Lito Sandico, Quezon City

It used to be better

Medical care for the rich in “five-star” hospitals remains at its best or is even getting better. For the poor, bawal magsakit, if you can not pay for laboratory tests or buy medicines. Fifty years ago, medical service in public hospitals was fast, efficient, courteous, with free medicines for the indigent. It is different now, where public hospital doctors, nurses and other staff members are just making do, serving the public with limited funds, poor facilities and lack of equipment. – Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City

There are instances when you get to deal with really bad medical personnel. It’s also a pity if you go to any hospital and you only have your health card with you because you cannot go directly to the accredited doctor. While many hospitals here have inefficient service, government hospitals are even worse. Medical services were better before because the doctors did house visits. Now, they can’t do that anymore. – Rose Leobrera, Manila

Medical malpractice

By and large, medical care in the country should be satisfactory for ailments needing no high-tech equipment. However, medical malpractice goes unabated. My father himself was a medical malpractice victim when he was made a guinea pig for a so-called state-of-the-art gadget. – Elpidio Que, Vigan

Once in a while, we hear horror stories of misdiagnosed patients; patients transfused with the wrong blood; patients given the wrong medicine; patients who had the wrong kidney incised; and patients going into a coma from anesthetic overdose. It’s even worse in the provinces. It’s high time a medical malpractice law is passed to protect patients. – C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City

Bad service

Being hospitalized and handled by inexperienced doctors and nurses is hara-kiri! They will only experiment on our illnesses. – Rency Santos, Rizal

Code of ethics

The infamous video shot by some doctors and nurses in a Cebu hospital as they operated on a patient makes me think that medical care in the country has really gone down. They blatantly violated the basic rights of their patient, the same rights they swore to upheld and protect under their profession. – Che Hernandez, Quezon City

First, only private hospitals provide excellent medical service. Second, some of our first-rate doctors and nurses choose to render service to foreign countries because of high salaries, resulting in less doctors and nurses left for us. Third, they sometimes forget their code of ethics, just what like happened in one of the hospitals in Cebu. – Olive Tiamson, Metro Manila

All the same

I don’t think there’s a difference in terms of services. The difference lies in other aspects, like accommodations and the medicine itself. Some say that some antibiotics nowadays are not effective because manufacturers resort to inexpensive components. The scandals we hear from time to time are isolated cases and they also happen in other countries. It’s very unfair to accuse our doctors of diminishing medical practices, as it’s like proclaiming to the whole world that we have the worst medical schools. – Imee Aglibot, Rizal

THE WAY I SEE IT

It was good to see the jolly good fellows around, dispensing rice. I’ll bet between now and election time, hell will freeze. – Nestor Bunag, Mandaluyong City

If Congress really sees the urgency of a national population policy, the tax exemptions they just passed is a step back. It encourages having many children by raising exemptions for dependents by 150 percent and that for spouses by only 9 percent. – Nony de Leon, Bulacan

Man created the oil price and food problem. He has the knowhow but is just too stubborn or stupid to solve it. – Claro Ramirez, Quezon City

Sen. Biazon is making a fool of himself. The Oakwood mutiny was meant to grab power. Airing their grievances was just an alibi because the move didn’t prosper. – F. Rafer, Bacoor, Cavite

Marcos gave us cheap power, Cory gave us freedom, Ramos gave us hope, Estrada canceled pork, while GMA gave us chicken-wired Edsa. – R. Santos, IsabelaWhat’s happening to Ifugao farmers is the best argument against extending CARP, which only makes farms small and unprofitable. CARP is an example of the lack of political courage to make right but unpopular decisions. – Nony de Leon, Malolos

Let’s hope that the enacted Cheap Medicine Bill doesn’t turn out to be like the human security act: An unworkable piece of legislation against terrorism. – Norberto Robles, Taguig City

REACTIONS

To Lydia Reyes: I’m busy lately implementing our city’s chess development program. Para sa iyo, mag text muli ako sa  Inbox. – Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City

Ms. S. S. De Guzman’s “promises” gives us Filipinos reason to be frustrated. Indeed, we are a neglected race exploited by our own leaders both in government and civil society in connivance with insatiable pseudo Filipinos and other aliens. – Felix Ramento, Nueva Ecija

Sadly, Ms. Sara, what is clean/well in Vietnam is so because their people don’t dirty, wreck, steal them as we Filipinos do to ours! – Ed Angeles, Pasay City

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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