Health care within reach: Breaking social, geographical and cultural boundaries

DAVAO CITY, Sept. 21 – Making ends meet is a struggle that every Filipino household, especially those living under the poverty threshold, continue to scuffle.

Likewise, many suffer the consequence of poor health as a result of being trapped in communities either far from or beyond the reach of the government’s social services programs.

This reality is a burden braved by those like Nerma Pillanon, 23, who grew up living life one day at a time.

Married at the young age of 18, Nerma who originally hails from North Cotabato moved to Marilog, Davao City where her husband, Elorde resides as part of the Manobo tribe, which is one of the earliest ethnic groups in Mindanao.

For the couple, getting a glimpse of life past the outskirts is beyond the bounds of possibility. For years, they were held safe and secure in the mountainswhere life is simple, until an ill-fated turn of events stripped them off this security blanket.

On facing health predicaments

Last 2012, their firstborn, Xyriel, fell ill and with nothing much to shell out, Nerma and Elorde resorted to seeking help from a local hilot, or a folk healer in their vicinity. However,the condition only got worse and their efforts grew futile.

It took nearly two weeks of severe coughing, wheezing and fluctuating fever before their daughter was rushedto the nearest district hospital. But it was too late.At the age of one, little Xyriel succumbed to complications in pneumonia.

Taken away so young without the privilege of seeing a doctor at the onset of her ailment is one of life’s biggest injustices, according to Norma.

“Sakit kaayo nawala mi mabuhatatongmgapanahona” (It is extremely painful because there was nothing we could do at the time), she recalls.Indeed, no pain is greater than seeing your child die in your own arms.

Reluctance to seek medical attention

With no idea on health management protocol and given very few resources, Norma admits that it was difficult for them to respond to the situation. She had no choice back then.

This unfortunate practice of many Filipinos to defer medical treatment due to financial incapacities remains to be one of the biggest challenges the country’s health care system faces today.

Nerma’s story and many more similar ordeals have pushed national agencies such as PhilHealth to fine tune its programs that would ultimately address apprehensions among its members. This move hopes to eliminate the excuse of the poor not to seek medical care.

Mobilizing efforts in communities

Now, PhilHealth is gearing towards servicing more Filipinos in far reaches of the country as it breaks social, geographical and cultural boundaries.

This is evident in the massive enrolment of the poor, who remains to occupy a significant portion of the population, to the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) and providing sustainable health coverage for them.

In 2005, Philhealth figures show around 5 million indigents initially granted with health coverage. According to PhilHealth PCEO Alexander Padilla, this number has skyrocketed this year reaching 15million poor families with health care subsidy.

Also considering education as a key factor to elevate health outcomes, the agency has primed various nationwide service caravans in hard to reach areas of population. One of which is the Alaga Ka advocacy campaign for the poor, aimed at maximizing the utilization of healthcare benefits among the poor.

‘Light at the end of the tunnel’

Gladly, Nerma’s family was among those included under the indigent program. As the female spouse, she was accorded her PhilHealth card during the regional Alaga Ka activity in Marilog, Davao City last July 2015.With this, her family can now enjoy PhilHealth benefits.

This appeased both Nerma and Elorde giving them a huge sense of comfort. There, they also learned of their rights to avail of primary health care coverage, maternity and prenatal services and other hospitalization benefits; all of which, for free.

Now that they are starting to rebuild their family, the couple who was recently blessed with a second child puts faith in the belief that should another health emergency arise, they know exactly what to do.

“Ipakitalangnakoakong (PhilHealth) card” (I just have to present my PhilHealth card),Norma shyly smiles as she shares her recent understanding of the activity.

Successfully launched in 2014, AlagaKa has been making the rounds in Davao region with five of its major provinces already covered.

It was recently introduced in Davao City where many other Indigenous Peoples (IPs)just like Nerma and Elorde, received their PhilHealth cards and gained better understanding of the government’s health care programs.

“Nalipayjud mi kay pinaagisaPhilHealth, kami diri, wala mi mabayaran kung ma-ospital mi” (We are extremely happy because through PhilHealth, we do not need to pay anything for hospitalization), Nerma lets out in behalf of her fellow IP families.

A call for a bigger challenge

As PhilHealth prods to more distant communities nationwide, it hopes to strike out the notion that health care is beyond the reach of the poor.

The corporation also continues to seek community involvement and participation to generate greater public awareness on its healthcare programs - driven by the goal of having universal health care more thanjust a vision but a right that every Filipino, from all walks of life, shares and enjoys. (Philhealth-XI/Kleah Gayle Dublin)