Citing a 2013 report by the Philippine Society for General Internal Medicine, Vice Presidential candidate and Senate Majority leader Alan Peter Cayetano today said that 6 out of 10 Filipinos die without seeing a doctor.
“This is simply unacceptable! Sobra na ang gulo at hirap sa buhay ng tao. Pati serbisyong pangkalusugan, hindi maasahan ng maraming Pilipino,” he lamented.
“A healthy Filipino is a productive Filipino. Wala dapat Pilipino ang pinagkakaitan ng medical assistance at health care services,” Cayetano added.
Cayetano made the statement as he visited Cebu City on Friday (Feb. 26) to listen to the plight of indigent patients at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
During the Duterte-Cayetano “Ronda Serye” listening tour, Cayetano said the lack of proper health care system in the country’s provinces adds to the disorder and suffering in the lives of ordinary people.
To address this, Cayetano vowed to ensure the full coverage of the Philippine Health Insurance Company (PhilHealth), a promise made by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III in 2010. Cayetano said he will also push for the full implementation of PhilHealth’s “zero billing” services to members.
Cayetano lambasted the government for telling the people that they have 100% coverage and for advertising its zero billing health services, when this is simply not true.
“Pinaasa ninyo ang tao, this had been the DOH and Philhealth system in the last few administrations. It’s time for real change,” Cayetano said.
He added, “Aanhin ng tao ang Philhealth kung walang mga ospital o mga ospital na walang pasilidad o equipment na magamit.”
Cayetano stressed that he and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, plan to establish regional specialty hospitals in Visayas and in Mindanao. He said Northen Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao should have their own Heart Center, Kidney Center, Lung Center, Orthopedic Center and Children’s Hospital and Cancer Research and Treatment Center. These are National Hospitals/Centers found only in Metro Manila.
“Through Philhealth, Sin Taxes and the national budget, Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao should have specialty hospitals. It is technically and financially viable and good for the people,” Cayetano explained.
The senator said problems in the health care sector can only be remedied by leaders who have the courage and strength of character to create real change. “Kailangan ng matapang na solusyon at mabilis na aksyon. Ito ang dala ko at ni Mayor Duterte sa eleksyong ito,” Cayetano concluded./DC-HQ
