Christy Balita
Research expert covering the Philippines
Healthcare in the Philippines - statistics & facts
Thanks to the Universal Health Care (UHC) law in 2019, Filipinos will now be automatically enrolled in government-subsidized public health insurance that provides essential services for those able to pay premiums, the unemployed, and the elderly. Ultimately, this will lessen the out-of-pocket health expenditure of Filipinos, allow for the expansion of health facilities, and increase the availability of medical professionals, especially in rural areas.
Aside from lowering healthcare expenditures, the UHC aims to expand the presence of medical staff and facilities to address concerns about unequal access, especially in rural and far-flung areas. In 2021, there were over three thousand health centers nationwide, alongside nearly 22 thousand barangay health stations, and nearly two thousand hospitals. Increasing the ratio of medical staff to patients is also underway, as the figures remain disproportionate across regions.
State of health and access to medical care
With an average life expectancy below 70 years, the Philippines has one of the lowest life expectancies at birth in Southeast Asia in 2021, just above Cambodia. Ischaemic heart disease was identified as the leading cause of death, followed by cerebrovascular diseases and cancer. Filipinos are also prone to respiratory tract infections, hypertension, and diabetes, and have high cases of animal bites and skin diseases. These illnesses are exacerbated by the rising levels of obesity, prevalent among those between the age of 20 and 59. Meanwhile, smoking and binge drinking have been reportedly slowing down in recent years. Despite the nature of these diseases, the current healthcare approach leans more toward prescriptive than preventative care. Overall, spending on curative care accounted for over half of the current health expenditures, whereas spending on preventive care was just nine percent. Prior to the implementation of the universal healthcare law, Filipino households used to cover more than half of their health expenses out-of-pocket, which was a significant burden to low-income families. Because of this, some patients tend to seek alternative cures instead of seeking professional help.Aside from lowering healthcare expenditures, the UHC aims to expand the presence of medical staff and facilities to address concerns about unequal access, especially in rural and far-flung areas. In 2021, there were over three thousand health centers nationwide, alongside nearly 22 thousand barangay health stations, and nearly two thousand hospitals. Increasing the ratio of medical staff to patients is also underway, as the figures remain disproportionate across regions.
Outlook of the Philippine healthcare system
The UHC is an important development in the healthcare sector, especially among low-income families and communities with limited access to basic health services. Through this law, Filipino households can be more comfortable seeking medical treatment from health centers and public hospitals, especially in the event of more serious illnesses. However, concerns about the quality of services persist, particularly since private hospitals are usually equipped with better facilities and have a more consistent quality of care. In addition, low salaries and insufficient benefits have been fueling the growth of medical professionals choosing to work abroad to better provide for their families in the Philippines.
