Problems Plaguing the Philippines’ Medical Care (2024)

Problems Plaguing the Philippines’ Medical Care

by MedHyve

It goes without saying the medical care in the country is far from perfect. Compared to medically advanced countries such as the US, and Singapore, the Philippines face a lot more basic problems that prevent healthcare professionals from giving the best care that they can. Here are some of the problems plaguing the Philippines medical care:

1. Majority of Filipino people lack access to basic healthcare.

Problems Plaguing the Philippines’ Medical Care (1)

Even before the pandemic started, 16.7% of Filipinos lived under the poverty line as per Asian Development Bank. Poverty has prevented millions of Filipinos from getting the healthcare services they need. In short, a lot of Filipinos are too poor to go to the hospital and get the treatment they actually need.

2. There are not enough healthcare workers in the country.

Problems Plaguing the Philippines’ Medical Care (2)

75% of cities and municipalities in the country have an insufficient number of healthcare workers, according to the government think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). A lot of healthcare professionals have opted to move abroad for better career opportunities. Those that do choose to stay in the Philippines are more likely to work in areas where earnings are potentially high and near communities where they were trained.

3. The healthcare industry has not embraced digitalization.

Problems Plaguing the Philippines’ Medical Care (3)

Amazon Web Services (AWS) said that 99% of healthcare companies in the country still use paper data. The Philippine healthcare system has yet to integrate tools of digitalization such as the cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline its processes. Thus, procurement of supplies and the sharing of data has been quite slow across the country.

4. Provincial hospitals have limited access to medical supplies.

Problems Plaguing the Philippines’ Medical Care (4)

It can be challenging for hospitals in rural areas to acquire all the medical equipment and supplies they need to give patients the best care. Hospitals operate with a limited budget, and it’s important for them to acquire excellent quality products for patients. Unfortunately, quality checks and logistics can prolong the procurement process.

To add to this, hospitals in rural areas face logistical challenges. It can be difficult for them to have products shipped to their facilities. Given that the Philippines is an archipelago, the process of shipping medical supplies can be tedious.

Problems Plaguing the Philippines’ Medical Care (5)

To mitigate some of these pressing problems, we at MedHyve have made it our mission to make healthcare more affordable and accessible through more Filipinos. We empower small to medium hospitals with an online medical marketspace fitted with intelligent procurement tools and dashboards, giving them the same procurement expertise as some of the largest hospitals.

Our one-stop-shop connects you with trustworthy medical suppliers across the country. We at MedHyve leverage on synergies with the network of merchant and medical institutions to introduce healthcare products to developing countries in the region at the right price. In short, our digital platform helps you acquire the medical supplies and equipment you need at the most affordable price.

We believe that solving the problems plaguing the country’s healthcare system is a collective effort. That’s why we’re continuously working to expand our list of trusted suppliers and logistics partners to help you serve your patients better. Request a quotation from us today to help elevate Philippine healthcare today.

Problems Plaguing the Philippines’ Medical Care (2024)

FAQs

What is the major problem in healthcare system in the Philippines? ›

The shortage of hospitals and surgical equipment are the primary barriers to quality healthcare in the Philippines. Half of the people who live in the Philippines reside in rural areas of the country where there are sometimes no licensed medical doctors and ill-equipped facilities with broken medical devices.

Can you trust the Philippine health care system justify your answer? ›

In general, the healthcare system in the Philippines is of a high quality. Medical staff in the Philippines are highly qualified, though the facilities they work with are of a poorer quality than those in high-end US or European healthcare institutions.

How can we solve healthcare problems in the Philippines? ›

Top 10 health agendas of the Philippines
  1. Improve hospitals and health facilities. ...
  2. Employ more health workers (doctors, nurses, and midwives). ...
  3. Increase PhilHealth enrollment and improve PhilHealth benefits. ...
  4. Reduce maternal and infant deaths. ...
  5. Reduce non-communicable diseases. ...
  6. Reduce and prevent cancer cases.
Mar 13, 2012

What are the barriers to healthcare in Philippines? ›

Based on responses from 211 participants, the most frequently mentioned health-system-related barriers included insufficient human resources (57%), inadequate financial support (29%), and poor political support (13%).

What are the 5 main health issue in the Philippines? ›

Health Problems in The Philippines

The main Non-Communicable Diseases are Diabetes, Heart disease, Stroke, Cancer, and Chronic diseases that affect the airways and lungs. While these diseases affect different parts of the body in different ways, they often share common origins.

What are the 2 major public health issues in the Philippines? ›

The Philippines is challenged by high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality and tuberculosis (TB). The annual population growth rate, estimated at 1.6 percent in 2016, remains one of the highest in Southeast Asia.

Where does Philippines rank in healthcare? ›

Philippines Overall
Index Score45.7
Rank57/195
Change from 2019+2.2

Do Filipinos pay for healthcare? ›

Every citizen has the right to free healthcare under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). Subsidies from both local and central authorities, along with contributions from staff and companies, drive this government-backed scheme.

Why is healthcare so expensive in the Philippines? ›

Medical inflation in the Philippines was anticipated to increase to 13.7% in 2019 from 13% in 2018. Healthcare costs are increasing due to the high cost of pharmaceuticals, new diagnostics and procedures, and the over-prescribing of low-value health tests and procedures.

What can be done to improve the healthcare system in your country? ›

Consider the following five evidence-based approaches to improving access to health care.
  • Expand Insurance to Cover Health Care Costs. ...
  • Extend Telehealth Services. ...
  • Invest in Mobile Clinics. ...
  • Educate the Public About Multiple Health Care Sites. ...
  • Improve Cultural Responsiveness.

How can we solve the healthcare crisis? ›

U.S. healthcare needs multiple changes to be more effective: (1) pay for results, not action; (2) run healthcare delivery systems like businesses competing to deliver better health at lower costs; (3) demand that other health industries also compete on making people healthier at lower costs; and (4) learn from the ...

What are the most common health problems in Filipinos? ›

In general, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and strokes are the leading cause of death for Filipino Americans. For Filipino men, the greatest health concern is cardiovascular disease and diabetes, whereas breast cancer is the leading cause of death among female Filipino Americans.

What are at least one health pressing health issues in the Philippines? ›

Studies show that cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure or heart attacks, as well as cancer, are the two leading causes of death in the Philippines. 87,881 (or 17% of all deaths) Filipinos die every year due to some cardiovascular-related death.

What are the health risk factors in the Philippines? ›

Overall, the three risk factors that account for the most disease burden in the Philippines are dietary risks, tobacco smoking, and high blood pressure. The leading risk factors for children under 5 and adults aged 15-49 years were childhood underweight and dietary risks, respectively, in 2010.

What problems need to be solved in healthcare? ›

Top 5 Administrative Healthcare Problems & Solutions In 2021
  • Lack Of Real-time Situation Management. ...
  • Ineffective Internal Communication. ...
  • Lack Of System Interoperability. ...
  • Information Overload. ...
  • Data Security.
Apr 14, 2023

Is Philippines a healthy country? ›

Out of 89 countries sampled in the study, the Philippines ranked 13th most health-conscious country in the world. The Philippines and Singapore are the only Asia-Pacific countries to make it to the list's top 20.

What percentage in the Philippines has access to healthcare? ›

In the Philippines, access to basic healthcare services remains a major challenge. This is largely attributed to scarcity and maldistribution of health facilities in many parts of the country. About 50% of the population do not have access to primary care facilities (PCFs) within 30 minutes [S1 File].

What are the issues in the Philippines 2023? ›

Key challenges face the country: significantly high unemployment numbers; a high inflation rate (forecast to reach 5.1 percent in 2023); rising policy rates; import and export bottlenecks; and the declining strength of the Philippine peso against the American dollar. 1.

What disease is a problem in the Philippines? ›

The diseases that kill more Filipinos than any other might surprise you. They're called noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and they take almost 300,000 lives in this country every year. The main NCDs are diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and chronic diseases that affect the airways and lungs.

Is healthcare free for the poor in the Philippines? ›

Public healthcare in the Philippines

All citizens are entitled to free healthcare under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). The scheme is government-controlled and funded by local and national government subsidies and contributions from employers and employees.

Which country is #1 in quality healthcare? ›

Denmark

What country has the best healthcare in the world? ›

Countries Ranked by Healthcare
#CountryCare System Score
1Belgium83.8
2Japan83.2
3Sweden83.1
4Switzerland82.4
105 more rows

Can Americans use Medicare in the Philippines? ›

Remember, you can have Medicare while you live abroad, but it will usually not cover the care you receive. Most people qualify for premium-free Part A, meaning you will pay nothing for coverage. If you must pay a premium for Part A, be aware of the high monthly cost for maintaining Part A coverage.

Can I use my US health insurance in the Philippines? ›

Travel insurance with covid coverage Philippines is mandatory for international travelers including US citizens, it is also true that U.S. health insurance including medicare provides limited coverage in the Philippines.

How much is the doctors fee in the Philippines? ›

Doctor Consultations

In the Philippines, the consultation fees of general practitioners range from PHP 300 to PHP 500 in public hospitals. It's more expensive if you're going to see a physician in a private hospital with fees ranging from PHP 700 to PHP 1000.

How much is health insurance in the Philippines monthly? ›

Comparison of HMO and Health Insurance in the Philippines
Product & InsurerMaximum Benefit LimitMonthly Premiums
Medicard Plan 18,000120,000.001521.42
Medicard Plan 15,000100,000.001309.00
Medicard Plan 10,00060,000.00836.75
Maxicare Silver60,000.001199.17
38 more rows

How much is a hospital room per day in the Philippines? ›

Hospital room rates in the Philippines start at around 1,500 pesos per day for Semi Private to as much as Php 25,000 per day for Presidential Suites.

Are prescription drugs expensive in Philippines? ›

Pharmaceuticals are expensive in the Philippines in comparison to prices in neighboring countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Since 1985, the price of drugs increased faster than the consumer price index5.

Why is US healthcare so expensive? ›

There are many possible reasons for that increase in healthcare prices: The introduction of new, innovative healthcare technology can lead to better, more expensive procedures and products. The complexity of the U.S. healthcare system can lead to administrative waste in the insurance and provider payment systems.

What is the most important issue with your country's health care system? ›

The High Cost of Health Care

The problem: Perhaps the most pressing issue in health care currently is the high cost of care. More than 45% of American adults say it's difficult to afford health care, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, and more than 40% have medical debt.

What causes lack of access to healthcare? ›

Race, or racial discrimination, has resulted in patient access to care problems. Decades-old racist policies like redlining have led to unequal healthcare access and thus unequal healthcare outcomes, numerous studies have found.

What is the current situation of the health care system in the Philippines? ›

The Philippine healthcare system is shared between the public and private sectors. The pandemic allowed hospitals to upgrade and increase their facilities to cope with the situation. Public hospitals focus their efforts on preventive and primary care while also taking the lead in educating the public on health issues.

What is the major problem with the health care system? ›

The problem: Perhaps the most pressing issue in health care currently is the high cost of care. More than 45% of American adults say it's difficult to afford health care, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, and more than 40% have medical debt.

What are the high risk health behaviors in the Philippines? ›

In the Philippines, among adults aged 10–24, the leading causes of death are attributable to risky behaviors, which include substance abuse, violence, and poor diet, among others. Other risk factors include overweight and mental health issues (Peltzer and Pengpid 2016).

What are at least three health related issues and concern here in the Philippines? ›

Studies show that cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure or heart attacks, as well as cancer, are the two leading causes of death in the Philippines. 87,881 (or 17% of all deaths) Filipinos die every year due to some cardiovascular-related death.

Why is health care in demand in the Philippines? ›

Healthcare infrastructure gaps

There is a significant pressure on government and the healthcare sector to revolutionize the state of Philippine healthcare. Demand is primarily driven by a growing and ageing population. With an expanding middle class and rising incomes, people are starting to spend more on healthcare.

What are the top 5 issues in healthcare? ›

Top 5 Administrative Healthcare Problems & Solutions In 2021
  • Lack Of Real-time Situation Management. ...
  • Ineffective Internal Communication. ...
  • Lack Of System Interoperability. ...
  • Information Overload. ...
  • Data Security.
Apr 14, 2023

What country has the best healthcare system? ›

South Korea tops the list of best healthcare systems in the world. It's been praised for being modern and efficient, with quality, well-equipped medical facilities and highly trained medical professionals. Generally, treatment in South Korea is affordable and readily available.

Why did healthcare become a problem? ›

High cost is the primary reason that prevents Americans from accessing health care services. Americans with below-average incomes are much more affected, since visiting a physician when sick, getting a recommended test, or follow-up care has become unaffordable.

How do you answer the biggest problem in healthcare? ›

Here are a few tips on how to make your response stand out, and increase your chances of acceptance into medical school.
  • Include Facts and Figures to Support Your Opinion.
  • Discuss a Potential Solution for the Healthcare Problem.
  • Preparation for Your Interview to Demonstrate Confidence.

What are system failures in healthcare? ›

When failures occur in medicine such as medication errors (patient gets the wrong medication or a wrong dose of the correct medication), surgeon operates on the wrong patient or the wrong limb of the correct patientand it is usually the individual physician or surgeon who is held responsible.

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