The state of health of the nation

Well, we certainly are no stranger to a myriad of crises like we see nowadays. From the drought to the fiscal crisis to the livestock epidemic scare we recently had. And now? A healthcare crisis that may well do the country in.

One dilemma is the uncontrolled exodus of doctors, to work as nurses overseas. Nursing schools have made a killing in enrollment, made up of the regular students and the “second coursers” – doctors, dentists, pharmacists, medical technologists, physical and occupational therapists and other allied health professionals. The exodus has prompted DOH secretary Dr. Francisco Duque III to propose a law that may prevent doctors from leaving the country if it will greatly affect the healthcare state of the nation. This, of course, has drawn flak from various sectors saying that stopping doctors from leaving will not help solve the country’s dwindling number of physicians. But is there really a shortage of doctors? Members of the Philippine Medical Association have told me that, while we’re looking at all the nurses studying to leave for greener pastures (green as in for the color of dollars) it is actually the brain drain of doctors that is in almost critical level. While nurses leave in droves, we still have a healthy supply of those still working in the hospitals. And it is the countryside and remote areas that are in dire want of competent medical practitioners. If only the government could find a way to encourage doctors into working in remote areas. Metro Manila and its surrounding areas may actually be congested with too many, making it hard for newly-licensed physicians to break into the business.

The government’s program of sending doctors to the barrios has all but failed. Horror stories of poor housing, shortage or total absence of medicine and vital equipment, even harassment and threats from local politicians have discouraged even the most dedicated of doctors. And it all boils down to money. Doctors in the Metro may have lucrative practices, and it is obvious that they have no intentions of leaving, to work as nurses. I find it hard to believe that doctors based in Metro Manila suffer economic woes and would be “forced” to work overseas — if only for the cars that I see them drive! But not everyone is that fortunate.

Another problem would be the hospitals. Are there enough to service the people, both rich and poor? Recently, the PGH has practically closed its doors to delivering mothers due to charity wards being filled to capacity. According to a PGH spokesperson, there is a rise in complicated deliveries causing patients to stay longer than usual. If you’re a regular of St. Luke’s, you already know how hard it is to get a room, unless your family name is Arroyo. On the other hand, charity wards are wanting in both quality personnel and equipment, if not beds. Service wards are again the responsibility of the government. A big chunk of the national budget goes to the DOH. So where does the money go? Ah but this is the Philippines. There are more important uses for money like airports and bridges and so forth. Monuments to prove taxes actually go somewhere.

Then of course, is the fact that medicine in this country is just too expensive. At least we already have legislators like Sen. Mar Roxas spearheading a Cheaper Medicines Bill that should cover all of these expensive meds for dreaded diseases like hypertension, heart ailments and diabetes.

Is there a pill we can give the President and Congress to develop political will? If PGMA intends to leave the legacy she says she wishes to then healthcare and education should be more sincere investments for this country. With neighboring countries providing hundreds of times much more in healthcare to each of its citizens than the Philippine government does to its sick and dying, President Gloria Arroyo, after her term, would have left us with infrastructure but sick and helpless Filipinos dying because they couldn’t afford seven days of antibiotics.