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The Caduceus, Cebu City (2025)

25/06/2025

"Women’s Health in the Philippines: Bridging Gaps in Reproductive Rights and Maternal Care”
By: Jillian Marie P. Villagonzalo

In the heart of Southeast Asia, the Philippines stands as a nation rich in vibrant culture, deeply rooted traditions, and resilient people. But beneath its beauty lies a persistent crisis, one that continues to claim the lives and rights of thousands of women every year.

Despite legal advances, Filipino women are still fighting for equitable access to reproductive health services and safe maternal care. It is a story that spans decades. And it is one that, sadly, is far from over.

A Law That Promised Change

In 2012, after years of contentious debate, the Philippines passed the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10354, also known as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act. It was hailed as a breakthrough: finally, a law that guaranteed access to modern family planning, maternal care, and s*x education.

On paper, it was a win for every Filipino woman. But even a decade later, many are still waiting to feel the impact. The problem isn't the lack of laws. It is the lack of follow-through. Implementation has been slow and uneven, especially in poorer and more rural regions.

The Silent Toll of Motherhood

One of the most devastating consequences of this gap is the country’s stubbornly high maternal mortality rate. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, 2,478 women died from maternal causes in 2021 alone. That is six to seven mothers dying every single day, many from preventable complications like hemorrhage, infection, and hypertensive disorders.

What makes it even more tragic is that most of these deaths occur in areas where health services are either limited or completely absent. In some rural provinces, women still give birth at home, without the help of trained health professionals. Emergency care, if needed, is often hours away. It is not just a health issue; it is a matter of life and death.

Innovation and Hope

Despite these challenges, stories of innovation and resilience offer glimmers of hope. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when lockdowns made it nearly impossible for women to access health centers, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) found creative solutions. They used social media analytics to identify which communities were struggling most, and then coordinated door-to-door delivery of contraceptives.

This kind of grassroots, data-informed approach proves that real progress doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes, it just takes listening, adapting, and showing up for the people who need help the most.

As future physicians with a heart, we have to educate ourselves and others. Understanding the legal, cultural, and clinical dimensions of reproductive health in the Philippines is the first step. Sharing that knowledge, whether in community outreach programs or social media, comes next. It starts with awareness, but it does not have to end there.

Moreover, we have to speak up for reproductive rights by encouraging peers and mentors to support equitable access to family planning and maternal care. Most importantly, we have to lead with empathy.

If we are serious about improving women’s health in the Philippines, we need more than good laws. We need healthcare systems that reach every woman, no matter where she lives. And we need to normalize conversations about s*x, health, and rights without fear or shame.

The work starts now.

Credits:
Artwork: Henry Ford Hospital by Frida Kahlo (1932)
Edited by: Kate Gaylil Galvan
Visual Curation by: Jose Mathew Murillo Roble

21/06/2025

“What KALASAG 2025 Taught Us About Public Health”
By: Maria Jose Almodiel
Photography by: Naegil Acinas, Anthony Luis Chua, and Greg Hernand Pesca III

The sun had barely risen over Cebu City when eager students, young professionals, and seasoned experts gathered at USC-Talamban on April 5, 2025. Driven by a shared commitment to public health, they came together under one banner—Kalasag: Safeguarding Health, Protecting Futures. This was the AMSA-SOMA Public Health Forum 2025.

The theme carried more weight than a slogan. In a world still reeling from the aftermath of a global pandemic, and in a country where health inequities remain deeply rooted, the forum became a space for critical thought, introspection, and inspiration.

Early in the program, Dr. Michael Caampued, who delivered the opening remarks, said, “Maging kalasag tayo sa kalusugan. This is not just an idea but also a tangible goal as we try to address political hurdles and ensure that no one is left behind in our pursuit of health equity,” setting the tone for the entire event.

“Together, I believe that we can actually build our health system better,” he continued. His speech highlighted the importance of future physicians as leaders of our country. We have the power to shape our public health system in the right direction, and our voices are needed now more than ever to uphold the integrity of our health care sector.

As the event opened, one might ask questions such as, “Where are we failing?” or “Who is being left behind?”

The first keynote speaker, Dr. Leilanie Nicodemus, took the audience beyond clinic walls and into the structural wounds of the health care system. She unpacked the deeply entrenched inequalities and how the Universal Health Care (UHC) law aims to address them.

“What is our role as professionals? We need to look into social justice. Our profession is for public service,” she said. She urged future physicians not only to treat diseases but to advocate for the dismantling of unjust systems. Her words served as both a wake-up call and a challenge to everyone in the room.

Following her, Dr. William Tiu Jr. shifted the focus from patients to the caregivers themselves. He emphasized the growing crisis of healthcare worker migration. Health care providers choose to work abroad for better opportunities, leaving our hospitals understaffed and overworked.

In a room full of medical students and aspiring health leaders, his message struck a chord as he said, “We should improve our working conditions here. So when a health professional decides to work abroad, it is because of their own choice, not because of necessity.”

As discussions progressed, the forum zoomed in on the ground realities of governance. Ms. Miraflor Enescio, with years of experience in local health implementation, spoke candidly about the challenges LGUs face. “We believe leadership and governance are important for our system to be sustained,” she noted. Responsive leadership and governance, she emphasized, lead to responsive programs.

The last speaker for the morning, Ms. Cherrie Atilano—an advocate for food sustainability and CEO of AGREA—approached public health not through the eyes of a doctor, but as a businesswoman. Her talk resonated deeply with the audience as she demonstrated the importance of food security and the role of farmers in public health.

“Kahit isang simpleng solusyon, we can move our country forward and bring more people with us to have better access to health care,” she said, reminding the crowd that food justice is health justice.

It’s easy to romanticize medicine—the white coats, the gratifying title, the noble calling. But for many students at the forum, a deeper question lingered: What does public health truly mean?

“I think it’s about time students are exposed to public health, so in the future, there will be more public health workers. It’s like answering and responding to a call to help the Filipino people,” said Neils Henri II Thom Remo, a PRECISE student.

PHF is a great platform for budding students to be exposed to public health, as it shows them an alternative path in medicine. Last year, the Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) launched the PRECISE program to encourage and train future doctors to pursue preventive health.

“One of the things that CIM really needs to improve is our impact in the public health sector. Most CIM graduates who end up in public health do so by accident,” said Prinz Alvich O. Gangazo, another PRECISE student.

“This time, it is intentional because we (PRECISE students) are like a solution to the deficiency of physicians going into public health. I think it’s really important that all of us attend PHF so we can have an overview of what is happening in public health, what is being done, and what still needs improvement,” he continued.

As the afternoon sun lit the halls of USC-Talamban, the forum shifted to smaller parallel sessions—spaces for focused dialogue and hands-on insight. Participants moved between classrooms where experts shared their knowledge on key public health issues. Topics included Mpox (Dr. Buscato), climate change (Dr. Paler), digital health (Dr. Lava), vaccine hesitancy (Dr. Labitad), teen pregnancy (Dr. Amdora), children’s mental health (Ms. Lua), disaster management (Mr. del Rosario), and health misinformation (Ms. Quibod Castro). These breakout sessions invited students not just to listen but to engage deeply with real-world challenges.

Organizing such a comprehensive forum was no small feat. AMSA-SOMA president Adam Kellock shared the behind-the-scenes effort. “We had a PHF core team working since October. It’s a massive task—from speakers to sponsors—but it’s fulfilling.” He hopes events like PHF continue to open doors. “You build connections, learn deeply, and foster future public health leaders.”

Among the attendees was Paulo Kokichi P. Ishiwata, a PT student from Velez College. “Dr. Leilanie’s talk on equity really stuck with me,” he said. “We need to make laws that actually uplift people.” For now, he plans to use his social media presence to raise awareness, but dreams of advocating for structural change through policy.

As the forum drew to a close, Dr. Roel Z. Cagape, known for his work in underserved areas, delivered the synthesis speech titled “The Path Less Traveled: Caring for the Last, the Least, and the Lost.” He reminded attendees that true public health work happens beyond clinics, in far-flung communities where help rarely arrives. “Public health is not just a service. It is a commitment to reach those no one else will,” he said. His words urged future health workers to go where the need is greatest, even when the path is difficult.

“It is an opportunity for us to become stewards and shields—KALASAG, ika nga. In uncertain times, we are called to protect the Filipino people, to continue advocating for public health not just locally, but nationally,” said Dr. Miguel Tristan B. Rebalde.

In a single day, PHF 2025 transformed students and professionals into future health warriors—equipped with knowledge and purpose to take on the challenges of public health.

[Editor's Note: This article was the fruition of a Memorandum of Agreement between AMSA-SOMA and The Caduceus to be partners in the KALASAG 2025 Public Health Forum]

Credits:
Edited by: Jose Mathew M. Roble
Watermark by: Greg Hernand B. Pesca III

13/06/2025

"CIM Responds to Barangay Paknaan Fire: Relief, Recovery, and Resilience"
By: Dr. Veron Mardel D. Figuracion-Sambajon

On the evening of March 23, 2025, a massive fire engulfed Zone Talong, Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City, affecting 173 households and displacing 271 families. The fire's rapid spread and the limited accessibility of the area posed significant challenges for firefighters. After reaching a fourth alarm, the blaze was successfully controlled by 11:00 PM. While no casualties were reported, the fire caused substantial property damage, leaving many families without shelter and essential belongings.

As Barangay Paknaan has been the adopted community of the Cebu Institute of Medicine - Community Medico-Social Services (CMSS) since 1957, the institution acted quickly to provide assistance. The following morning, the Community Medicine team of CIM-CMSS visited the affected area to assess the extent of the damage and determine the victims' most urgent needs. Food, water, and clothing emerged as top priorities.

In response, a relief initiative was promptly launched, mobilizing student organizations from CIM and Velez College, along with other partner groups. A network of student leaders coordinated fundraising and donation drives. Within a short period, students, faculty, and donors contributed both monetary and in-kind donations, including canned goods, rice, water, and clothing.

By March 25, 2025, significant funds had been raised, enabling the organized distribution of relief goods the following day, March 26. The CIM-CMSS team and volunteer students from CIM worked alongside barangay officials and local security personnel to ensure an efficient and orderly distribution process. Repacking efforts were meticulously handled to guarantee that all 271 families received aid, providing much-needed relief to the affected community.

Following the success of the initial relief operation, continued support efforts were launched as additional donations continued to pour in. A follow-up survey at the evacuation center identified cooking equipment as the most felt need. In response, the "Kaldero Project" was initiated, ensuring that each family received a cooking pot, enabling them to prepare meals as they worked toward recovery.

Through the collective efforts of Cebu Institute of Medicine Student Council (CIM-SC), CIM Alpha Mu Sigma Phi (CIM-AMSP), CIM Total Outreach for Community Health (CIM-TORCH), CIM Asian Medical Students’ Association (CIM-AMSA), Velez College, and Cebu Doctors University - Student Council (CDU-SC), CDU Community Outreach REsearch and Education (CDU CORE), and CDU AMSA, additional funds were raised.

By April 2, 2025, all 271 families received cooking pots. Distilled water was prioritized for children, while pillows were distributed to persons with disabilities.

A raffle draw was also held to distribute sleeping mats and additional relief goods. To uplift spirits and provide encouragement, games and activities were organized for children and their families, making the event a truly memorable and heartwarming experience.

The overwhelming support from students, faculty, donors, and volunteers highlighted the power of unity, compassion, and community service. These relief efforts not only provided essential aid but also reaffirmed Cebu Institute of Medicine - Cebu Velez General Hospital’s steadfast commitment to serving communities in times of crisis.

As recovery efforts continue, the institution remains dedicated to supporting those in need and fostering resilience among affected families.

About the author:
Dr. Veron Mardel D. Figuracion-Sambajon is a 2nd year Family and Community Medicine Resident from CIM-CVGH. She is passionate about serving the community especially the constituents of Brgy. Paknaan, Mandaue City.

DISCLAIMER: Dr. Veron Mardel D. Figuracion-Sambajon is not a current student of CIM. However, The Caduceus encourages all members of the CIM community, including alumni and doctors, to submit and contribute to the publication. This entry has been approved for publication.

Edited by: Jose Mathew Murillo Roble

11/06/2025

"Dr. TikTok: The Modern-Day Quack Doctor"
By: Caroline E. Barcega
Illustration by: Maria Jose Almodiel

Has everyone joined the craze of TikTok dance trends? Tried the Maps Dance Challenge? Jived with the Emergency Budots Dance? Or even hummed Espresso as they scroll through the app?

But has anyone also been coaxed to try multi-cancer early detection tests or do a full-body MRI scan? How about taking OsteoFlex X7 “to cure gout” or Lishou Slimming Coffee “for weight loss”?

As the fastest-rising social media platform in the Philippines, TikTok is as perfect a platform for entertainment as it is for spreading fake and misleading medical information.

A study published in the journal JAMA Network Open has identified controversial medical screening tests being actively promoted on TikTok and Instagram—often with explicit financial interests—while failing to mention the proper indications for availing of these tests. This includes full-body MRI scans, multi-cancer early detection tests, AMH or “egg-timer” test, testosterone test, and gut microbiome test.

The head researcher, Dr. Brooke Nickel, has asserted that this seemingly positive health-seeking behavior can be misleading to healthy people, as these unnecessary tests can provide questionable diagnoses, which ultimately cause patients distress, fueling their urge to seek unnecessary medical treatments.

Dr. Nickel cited the AMH test to measure fertility as an example. Once this test gives an unfavorable result, and is interpreted outside of a clinical context, women may be left in despair, which may push them to seek unnecessary and costly fertility interventions.

With the prevalence of TikTok Shop, TikTok has also become the perfect platform for selling unregistered and unverified medical products. These products are often advertised by influencers who claim to be medical professionals. Examples include OsteoFlex X7, which claims to cure gout, and Lishou Slimming Coffee, which has been advertised for weight loss. The spread of these products is heightened as influencers post them with popular yet irrelevant hashtags and back their advertisements with fabricated FDA registration.

Whenever people seek to avail themselves of the mentioned screening tests without a proper indication identified by a physician, healthcare resources are continuously depleted as they are diverted from addressing diseases that are persistently underdiagnosed and undertreated. Consequently, patients who have been encouraged to avail themselves of seemingly promising medical products are further depleted of personal resources that could have been spent on seeking better quality health care.

Despite these exploitations, the rising popularity of the "MedTok" trend on TikTok shows promise in combating this spread of misinformation and disinformation. A growing number of healthcare professionals, medical practitioners, and scientists use TikTok to spread health information that is accessible and easier to comprehend by the public. As people engage with this factual content, the plague of medical misinformation and disinformation is slowly being addressed.

Among these content creators is Dr. Kilimanguru, who was given the TikTok Top Creative Award in 2021. The Mt. Province-native doctor is committed to sharing health information online with less medical jargon, and spoken in the local language, Tagalog, that ensures the accessibility of the information to the public. He gives health advice and debunks common health myths such as:

“Nakakalagnat ba talaga ang pagligo sa ulan?” (Does taking a bath in the rain really cause fever?)
“Nakakataba ba ang pag-inom ng tubig?” (Does drinking water make you fat?)
“Nakakalaki ba ng tiyan ang pag-upo matapos kumain?” (Does sitting down after eating make your belly bigger?)

In 2023, he was again recognized by LPU Filipino Advocates for Critical Thinking for having the Most Educational Content Award. In a Facebook post, he encouraged everyone to “continue to inspire and empower others through education” as he recognized the “power of knowledge and the incredible impact we can make by sharing it.”

Still a long way from being licensed physicians, medical students—while equipped to become content creators—must be wary of the medical content that they share online. Angel Cape, a CIM medical student and a rising TikTok content creator, is personally cautious of the medical advice she shares online: “I, personally, think that I don’t have the power yet to do that. I’m not licensed to speak about it.”

Still beginners, medical students are limited by the concepts discussed in books. In this regard, Cape further added, “Even if I know ‘fever’ now, it's the concept that I know; it’s not the experience of the people that I know.”

This further recognizes the fact that health management is always encouraged to be individualized, and that there are atypical cases that can only be learned through experience. As such, answering queries online, where any information shared is deemed permanent, and addressing these facts to the generalized public—which is made up of unique individuals—may cause more confusion than clarity.

Medical students, however, are still equipped to participate in the fight against the infodemic. Cape further suggested that to battle misinformation, “it’s more of like organizational” instead of being an individual role. This is because these organizations undergo structured proofreading and fact-checking to ensure that information shared online is factual.

Apart from this, Cape further encouraged medical students to educate themselves about the credible organizations to which they can refer patients for better guidance. It will also be helpful to become knowledgeable of the free services that can be referred to patients to help them address the intimidating cost of quality health services. This hopefully helps people to become proactive in seeking the right medical advice and availing of the right medical interventions.

The World Health Organization recognizes that “Internet access and social media have changed how people find and use health information, influencing their behaviour when seeking health advice.” However, they asserted that these “should not be a substitute for medical advice,” further communicating the dangers of the availability of this health information, such as “delaying or avoiding seeking medical attention, following misguided or inaccurate remedies, or harmful medications or treatments not backed by science.”

While social media applications such as TikTok are a perfect platform to debunk health myths and spread health awareness, influencers and content creators shall not fail to empower the public to seek medical advice that is suitable and individualized for them, taking into account their current health status, socioeconomic living, and future needs—needs that no trending TikTok video, Facebook post, or Instagram reel can foretell.

Edited by: Jose Mathew Murillo Roble

References:
Grana, R. (2021, July 14). With 3.3 million followers, this licensed doctor made his artista dream come true on TikTok. ABS-CBN.https://www.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/07/14/21/meet-dr-kilimanguru-the-viral-tiktok-doctor-who-wants-you-to-take-medical-facts-very-seriously
Inquirer. (2021, July 12). Healthcare professionals turn to TikTok to share helpful health tips and advice. Inquirer Technology.https://technology.inquirer.net/109661/healthcare-professionals-turn-to-tiktok-to-share-helpful-health-tips-and-advice
Nicart, L. (2023, October 7). TikTok’s Creator of the Year Arshie Larga urges content creators to ‘use platforms responsibly’. Philstar.https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2023/10/07/2301700/tiktoks-creator-year-arshie-larga-urges-content-creators-use-platforms-responsibly
Nickel, B., Zadro, J., & Low, L. (2025, February 27). Influencers promoting 'overwhelmingly' misleading information about medical tests on social media. The University of Sydney.https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2025/02/27/--influencers-promoting--overwhelmingly--misleading-information-.html
Welle, D. (2025, March 3). TikTok health traps: How influencers give you bad advice. ABS-CBN News.https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/3/3/tiktok-health-traps-how-influencers-give-you-bad-advice-1054
World Health Organization. (2024). Strength in unity: Collaborative efforts against health misinformation in the Pacific. WHO.https://www.who.int/westernpacific/newsroom/feature-stories/item/strength-in-unity--collaborative-efforts-against-health-misinformation-in-the-pacific
WowCordillera. (n.d.). Igorot doctor wins Top Creative Award from TikTok Awards Philippines 2021.https://www.wowcordillera.com/2021/07/igorot-doctor-wins-top-creative-award.html
Yubal, J. (2024). How TikTok spreads false cures, false hopes. Rappler.https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/how-tiktok-spreads-false-cures-hopes

05/05/2025

“What Really Counts: An Accountant in CIM”
By: Jose Mathew M. Roble
Photography by: Louie S. Singco

“Your path is different, but that doesn’t make you any less of a future doctor.”

For Brent Dadula, a second-year medical student at the Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM), this conviction is neither romantic nor rhetorical—it is a truth forged in the quiet tension between ambition and uncertainty.

Before he donned his white pants and picked up a stethoscope, Brent was crunching numbers as a BS Accountancy student. And after doing his time between balance sheets and management reports, he decided to follow his true calling. It was not ledgers, it was lives.

On an overcast February afternoon, The Caduceus walked around with Brent to talk about his nontraditional path to medicine. As we strolled through campus, past gardens and into dusty parking lots, he shared with us the doubts he faced, and the love—both for science and for people—that continues to guide him:

What made you leave accountancy for medicine?
“I was good at accounting, but I wasn’t happy. It didn’t spark my interest. I always loved science—biology, space, the unknown. I couldn’t be an astronaut, so I chose to be a doctor instead. And as for my parents, they always wanted me to be a doctor. It was either law or medicine, and I chose medicine. They were 101% supportive.”

Was it difficult transitioning from a non-traditional pre-med background?
“There was a lot to catch up on, especially at CIM. I was failing my first two bimonthlies. But I learned how the system works, pulled my grades up, and adjusted. Second year has been way easier. In accounting, concepts are confusing at first. You just have to keep reading until it clicks. That mindset helped me in medicine. I wasn’t deterred by difficult topics.”

How has medical school changed your daily life?
“Free time definitely took a back seat. But I still live the way I did before—just with more studying. I play video games, go to the gym, do household chores. I’m an only child, so I take care of the house. I also read sci-fi—books about aliens and speculative fiction. It’s my way of unwinding.”

What kept you going during your lowest points in med school?
“A strong belief that I was going to pass first year. Maybe it was self-confidence. Maybe delusion. But I knew I’d make it.”

What advice would you give to other non-trads entering medicine?
“Be sure you want to be a doctor. Accept that your peers might know more than you, and be okay with not knowing. Google, Medscape, and all these resources are just one click away. Your path is different, but that doesn’t make you any less of a future doctor.”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
“Hopefully a cardiologist or an internist. That’s the image I’ve always had of being a doctor—someone who listens, who cares, who heals.”

If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say?
“Form better study habits. Don’t rely on poor habits just because you’re getting good scores. Be more determined. Maybe you could’ve saved more time.”

What is love?
“Love is something that shouldn’t feel scary. It motivates you to do everything else in life—your job, your relationships, taking care of yourself. When you have love, you treat others better and pursue things with more drive.”

What is medicine?
“Medicine is the greatest calling I’ve ever come across. It’s where curiosity meets care. It’s turning our understanding of the world into something that gives others life.”

About the Interviewee
At the time of this writing, Brent Dadula is a second-year medical student at the Cebu Institute of Medicine. A magna cm laude graduate in Management Accounting from the University of San Carlos, he brings a unique perspective to the field of medicine. When he’s not studying, Brent enjoys video games, science fiction, and working out. His journey from numbers to neurons exemplifies the diverse paths that lead to the calling of medicine.

Credits
Edited by: Louie S. Singco
Watermark by: Greg Hernand B. Pesca III

02/05/2025

"𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 (𝐔𝐇𝐂) 𝐋𝐚𝐰: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝"
By: Lorreneil M. Capacio
Illustration by: Lorreneil M. Capacio
Photography by: Anthony Luis B. Chua

At face value, the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law is simple and straightforward: a goal to provide health care for every Filipino. At its core, however, lies a vision of a health system where all Filipinos, regardless of identity or socioeconomic status, are provided equitable access to the highest quality of health services and protected from financial risk or burden. Despite improved health being a long-standing goal by the government, the UHC Law gives us hope as an affirmation and a reminder of a renewed commitment to health system reforms. This is evident in attempts to expand healthcare benefits and coverage. However, as promising as it seems, the implementation of UHC, ever since its enactment, has been unceasingly bombarded with challenges stemming from all pillars of the health system, ultimately hampering the advancement of health in the country. Although some developments reflect progress, much must be done to ensure that UHC is not just a piece of writing, not just a policy, but rather, a reality for all Filipinos.

Universal Health Care, as a healthcare principle, was first described by the World Health Organization (WHO), adopted in 2010 during the Aquino administration, and was officially signed into law during the Duterte administration in 2019 as the “Universal Health Care Act” or Republic Act 11223. The RA 11223 aims to protect and promote the health of all Filipinos by improving the overall state of the Philippine health system through the leadership of the Department of Health (DOH). To do so, it employs a whole-of-government, whole-of-society, whole-of-system approach in ensuring that every Filipino citizen is provided equitable access to quality health care goods and services, free from financial risks or burden.

𝑻𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔: 𝑨𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝑻𝒉𝒖𝒔 𝑭𝒂𝒓
A significant component of the UHC Law is the automatic enrollment of all Filipinos to the National Health Insurance Program (PhilHealth), which streamlines the membership processes and results in a broader coverage. As a way to improve accessibility and affordability of health services, over 150 Malasakit Centers nationwide have been established for easier access to medical and financial assistance, especially for indigent residents. Since its establishment in 2018, Malasakit Centers have assisted 7,481,333 beneficiaries, with a total P50.8 billion worth of healthcare aid provided (Rita, 2022). The DOH has also focused on improving health infrastructures by renovating rural health units, barangay health stations, and hospitals, especially in those found in more remote areas. To strengthen primary care service provision, the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (KonSulTa) package has also been introduced under PhilHealth. This package offers comprehensive outpatient benefits, including consultations, diagnostic and laboratory tests, medications, and management. These programs and milestones achieved within the past six years of UHC Law implementation shows us some progress towards a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.

𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎: 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒈𝒈𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝑯𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔
Along with the changes brought about by the UHC Law, PhilHealth has now become the major component of the UHC Law, and in that regard, will have access to greater funds. As a social health insurance program, it is meant to allocate its budget, sourced from government taxes, to fund the different programs under the UHC. In a study by Nisperos and Ornos (2022), it was found that an increase in health expenditure, as to be expected from an increase in coverage, was not observed during its implementation.

Moreover, PhilHealth suffers from a utilization rate of only 14% of its eligible members in 2017, where underutilization is largely among those who belong to the poorest quintile of the population, those supposedly the main beneficiaries of the program. Such a discrepancy is owed to the lack of awareness of PhilHealth programs and benefits and due to perceived obstacles such as paperwork and requirements. The fact that its members are burdened with additional fees in exchange for healthcare services, on top of indirect costs incurred from missed opportunities, marks it questionable as a social health insurance program. Furthermore, PhilHealth has been under fire for several reports of corruption and all sorts of financial anomalies, undermining its credibility as the national health insurance program.While reforms have been suggested to improve its capacity to provide health services, there have already been great setbacks in achieving national goals, and as a result, the integrity of PhilHealth as the national insurance program in the eyes of the Filipinos has wavered.

On the other hand, the decentralization of the Philippine healthcare system, where local government units manage their respective local health systems, oftenly results in disparities in the quality of healthcare services. Richer LGUs have a greater capacity for quality health care services for its citizens, leaving those from lower income LGUs behind.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒂𝒅 𝑨𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅: 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑼𝑯𝑪 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑭𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒐
In the country, the UHC Act has laid the foundation for universal health coverage among our fellow Filipinos, but most challenges are deeply rooted in systemic issues, hindering its complete realization. Relentless challenges such as fragmented healthcare delivery, underfunding, inequitable distribution of resources, and corruption affect the accessibility and quality of care, where its impacts significantly affect those in disadvantaged areas.

There is no single solution to address all these barriers. Comprehensive, well-rounded strategies are needed, such as establishing sustainable financing models, strengthening primary care, investing in the health workforce and infrastructure, policy reforms, and collaboration among stakeholders, to address systemic inefficiencies.

As medical students, it is both an opportunity and a responsibility to actively involve ourselves in this issue that goes beyond the walls of medical education and delves into that which involves social injustices– tackling social determinants of health and systemic barriers that hinder equitable care. By participating in grassroots initiatives, strengthening our advocacy, and staying informed on developments regarding health policies, we find ourselves along the path towards the realization of UHC, making our own personal commitment to ensure an inclusive, equitable, and healthier country for all Filipinos.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬
Nisperos, G. A., & Ornos, E. D. (2022). The Philippine universal health care law: A differing view. Social Medicine, 15(2), 96-105. https://doi.org/10.71164/socialmedicine.v15i2.2022.1405

Rita, J. (2022). DOH: Malasakit centers gave P14.6 billion in aid to patient-beneficiaries in 2022. GMA News Online. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/855821/doh-malasakit-centers-gave-p14-6-billion-i n-aid-to-patient-beneficiaries-in-2022/story/

Edited by: Louie S. Singco

The Caduceus

25/06/2025

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