Health Policies

UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
Universal health coverage is defined as ensuring that all people have access to needed
health services (including prevention, promotion, treatment, rehabilitation and palliation)
of sufficient quality to be effective while also ensuring that the use of these services does
not expose the user to financial hardship.
Just recently, President Rodrigo Duterte signed a Universal Health Care (UHC) Bill into
law (Republic Act No. 11223) that automatically enrolls all Filipino citizens in the National
Health Insurance Program and prescribes complementary reforms in the health system.
That gives citizens full continuum of health services they need, while protecting them from
enduring financial hardships a result.
World Map of Universal Healthcare in 2018
HIV/AIDS
The Philippines has retooled its program to expand HIV services for males who have sex
with males (MSM) and transgender women who have sex with males (TGW) and has
opened clinics that cater specifically to their needs in urban areas, where the risk of HIV
is higher. The strategy is focus 117 cities where 80% of the new infections have been
reported and to open in such city at least one HIV clinic which has convenient evening
hours for working people, and is one-stop shop that provides prevention, counseling,
laboratory work-up and treatment services. These are the Sundown Clinics. The
government has also taken measure towards enabling rapid HIV screening and delivery
of test results.
The Department of Health (DOH) is providing antiretroviral (ARV) medicine for free to
anyone who test positive for HIV, as well as outpatient services to a maximum of PHP
30,000 a year per person. Between 2013 and 2015, the government increased funding
for the HIV program, and now shoulders 70% of all financing for its response. SOURCE:
DOH-PH
For the current administration, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Philippine HIV and
AIDS Policy Act of 2018 on December 20, 2018. This new law repeals the 21-year-old
“Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998” (RA 8504) which puts Philippine
National Aids Council (PNAC)in charge of the country’s overall implementation of the
AIDS Medium Term Plan, a 6-year term plan to prevent and control the spread of HIV
and AIDS. Another major provision in the law allows minors 15years to 17 years of age
to give their own consent for taking an HIV test. The law strengthens policies to fight
discrimination towards persons living with HIV and AIDS. SOURCE: Rappler.com
DENGUE
According to the Department of Health, a total of 271,840 dengue cases were reported
from January to August 31 of this year, prompting the declaration of a national dengue
epidemic. As of August 31 this year, an estimated 1,107 people have died of dengue in
the Philippines, almost half were children between five to nine years of age. This
percentage were the highest in the last five years.
The most effective way to prevent dengue according to the DOH, is to observe the 4S:
1. Search and Destroy Mosquito Breeding Places
People can get dengue through a bite of Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus
mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus. The most effective prevention method is
to eliminate the breeding sites of these mosquitoes. Dengue-infected mosquitoes
lay eggs in containers and spaces that hold clear and stagnant water.
2. Self-Protection Measures
Although dengue affects all age groups, five to nine-year old children are most
vulnerable, based on DOH data for the reason that they have weaker immune
system. Protect the kids by making them wear long-sleeved clothing and long
pants or pajamas to reduced exposed skins. Use insect repellants and mosquito
nets at bed time.
3. Seek Early Consultation
Its crucial to know the warning signs of dengue and see the doctor immediately to
ensure proper diagnosis and avoid serious complications.
4. Say Yes to Spraying/Fogging
To prevent an impending dengue outbreak, mosquito fogging is conducted in early
mornings or late afteroons in hotspot areas. No need to worry because the
chemicals used in dengue control don’t harm humans, according to the WHO.
Fortunately, Philhealth covers hospitalization confinement for both members and non-
members due to dengue in the Philippines. Philhealth may not fully cover the cost of
treating dengue, but the benefits can definitely help ease the patient’s financial burden.
POLIO
On 19 of September 2019, an outbreak of polio was declared in the Philippines. Children
in the Philippines are at risk of lifelong paralysis because of this outbreak. (WHO, 2019)
The Philippine Department of Health and partners are working together on a
comprehensive outbreak response, including mass polio immunization rounds from
October 2019. All children, regardless of whether they are covered by mass immunization
campaign or not should be vaccinated according to the routine immunization schedule.
Vaccination prevents polio, plain and simple. Hence, the national routine immunization
schedule for infants includes the polio vaccine. Babies receive one dose of Inactivated
Polio Vaccine (IPV) 3 ½ months after birth, along with 3 doses of Oral Polio Vaccine
(OPV). Children below the age of 5 are eligible for free OPV immunization. Meanwhile,
children who did not get vaccinated on time may also avail catch-up immunization.
According to WHO, 99 out of 100 children who receive all the recommended doses of
vaccine become protected from polio.
A massive polio vaccine campaign launched in the Philippines just recently, with people
going door-to-door giving kids droplets of the oral vaccine. The Philippines is trying to
vaccinate more than a million children below the age of 5.
As of the moment, the only treatment available is for alleviation of the symptoms.
Therapies and antispasmodic drugs can improve mobility, but they cannot reverse
permanent polio paralysis. There is no cure for polio, but availing the required number of
doses of the polio vaccine will prevent it.
SOURCE: FlipScience, 2017
MALARIA
The Philippines carry a burden of malaria diseases in the past but with the unrelenting
efforts of the DOH-National Malaria Control and Elimination Program, cases and deaths
has been reduced significantly, that the country is now inching towards elimination. DOH-
NMCEP aims to eliminate malaria by adopting a health system focused approach to
achieve universal coverage with quality-assured malaria diagnosis and treatment,
strengthen governance and human resource, maintain financial support needed and
ensure timely and accurate information management. (DOH, 2018)
This program of the government has a vision of a malaria-free Philippines by 2030 and a
ission to further accelerate malaria control and transition towards elimination.
TUBERCOLOSIS
HOW TO GRADUALLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES?

According to Taylor Elgarten (2017), some ways on improving the health in developing
countries are the following:
1. Investing in Education
 One of the most important ways to improve health I developing countries is
by educating its citizens. Educating people enables them to obtain safer
jobs, increased health literacy, take preventive healthcare measures, avoid
riskier health behaviors and demand better-quality health services.
2. Increasing Health Benefits for poor.
 Poorer countries receive much lower health benefits than richer countries.
In developing areas, the poor are subjected to higher risk of contracting
diseases and lower access to quality healthcare.
3. Promoting primary and essential healthcare.
 A way to improve health in developing countries involves governments
providing cost effective health packages for everyone. the initiative to create
universal healthcare includes “access to quality essential healthcare
services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential
medicines and vaccines for all”.

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UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE

HOW TO GRADUALLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES?

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