Question

1. Which primary goal of the health system do you think should be the priority in the Philippines? Why?

2. Do you think that the directions of the Philippines Health Sector are on the right track? Do you have any other recommendations?

3. Do you think that the Philippines have achieved the goals and functions of a Health System?

4. What suggestions will you come up with to control and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the Philippine Health Care setting?

Answer 1

HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS IN PHILIPPINES:
1) Health has been a priority in the Philippine development agenda since adoption of the Millennium Declaration. Among the eight Millennium Development goals (MDG's) there are three health specific goals
- For Child Health (MDG4)
- Maternal Health (MDG5) and
- Combating HIV/AIDS,Malaria and other      
   diseases ( MDG6)
This ultimately leads to the three major goals that the Philippine Health Agenda aspires for:
- better health outcomes with no major disparity amoung population groups.
- financial risk protection for all especially the poor, marginalized and vulnerable.
- a responsive health system which makes the Filipino feel respected,valued and empowered.

2) Overall the Health care system in Philippines is of a very high standard. The quality of the Philippines state- subsidised public health care although good,varies widely between rural and urban. My recommendation is that the the high standard of health care available in urban areas should also be available in rural areas.

3 ) Health Care Facilities:
One can receive quality healthcare and affordable health care services if living in and around the capital city of Manila . Outside Manila it might be a different story. Many hospitals outside major urban areas may offer only basic Medical care in rudimentary condition. It is wise to evaluate the standard of medical care at a hospital before contemplating a medical procedure. The Philippines has both private and public health care facilities. In general
the private hospitals tend to be rated higher in terms of facilities and technologies offered. They are also expensive because government hospitals don't charge any fees. That being said it is important to note that some of the country's best doctor's serve in public sector.
Hence to conclude the goals and functions of health care systems in Philippines is in the developing stage.

4) Suggestions to Control the spread of COVID 19 pandemic :
a) Minimising the spread of infectious disease is the core function of public health.
b) Law can contribute to easy access to vaccines and other health care facilities.
c) Public health powers should be based on the principal of public health necessity, reasonable and effective means , proportionality, distribution justice and transparency.
d) Early identification and treatment is the basis of any health care system.
e) Laws of home quarantine, isolation and proper treatment and compulsory treatment should restrict individual liberty only to the extent necessary to most effectively reduce risk to public health.
f) Easy accessibility to health care facilities and services.