AMID President Aquino’s push for a universal health care program, an official of the World Health Organization yesterday lamented the continued absence of sufficient healthcare coverage in the country.
"We are all troubled that in many countries around the world, millions of people suffer from ill-health because they cannot get the health care they need or because paying for health care devastates their livelihood," said Dr Shin Young-soo, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific.
"This is of particular concern in our region, where out-of-pocket payments for medicines and health services are often excessive," he added.
In the Philippines, the WHO official said some 250,000 families fall into financial hardships because of the high cost of health care.
"The grim situation is recurring worldwide, particularly among low- and medium-income families in developing nations," he said.
Aside from the Philippines, Shin said among others in the list are Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Laos, and Mongolia.
"It is found that people, who do receive treatment, sometimes are driven into poverty because of the cost of medicines and health services. Many more simply can’t afford care and, therefore, fall prey to the potential risk of serious health consequences," he said.
Aquino is targeting to provide health insurance coverage to all poor Filipinos, particularly the informal sector, in three years, through the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.
Based on a Social Weather Stations survey from January 29 to February 1 last year, about 72 percent paid for their visit to a health facility while another 55 percent do not have any public or private insurance to cover for their health care expenses. – Gerard Naval
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