Insufficiency of COVID-19 HEALTHCARE SERVICES and Its CONSEQUENCES
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The year 2020 has brought countless catastrophes all over the world. Everyone never knew the odds that they must conquer. But what highlights most of this year is the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Everyone has been affected in terms of livelihood, etc. The Philippines ranked as highest Covid-19 cases with over 119, 460 of total infections among its Southeast Asian neighbors based on the recent reports in April 2020 from the Department of Health. Hence, the government continued to stay on lockdown and implement strict prevention measures, but it is not enough to put an end to this crisis. It is widespread destruction and a threat to the economy. The pandemic also leaked the real condition of the country's healthcare system. The health government was too incautious of the circumstances and lacked provision in the response of Covid-19.
The first main reason for the problem of healthcare services is the unavailability of hospital equipment and services. A report established in 2018 review of the Philippine Healthcare System by Manuel M. Dayrit stated that the Philippines has 101,688 hospital beds that are distributed in 1,223 hospitals across the country. Imagine how hospitals will easily be overloaded even if just 1 percent of the Philippines' population gets infected with Covid-19. Let's face the fact that the healthcare system was never ready for this even before the pandemic occurred. Well, this is not a new issue because this is already a problem even before. Although the pandemic can infect anyone regardless of the social living, a man is lucky if the person is privileged enough to afford a high-end private hospital. What about the unfortunate ones? Do they get better assistance? It is unfair how our society works. Everyone cannot wholly blame the Department of Health, but they should do better because not all citizens have the same status of living. As a result, the poverty of the country increases more. This issue is also relating to the basic act of consumer law. As a consumer, they deserve a better service particularly when it comes to healthcare services. They should change their strategy in reinforcing our healthcare system to be prepared for the odds that might happen. They should provide enough hospital equipment and services equally for all citizens not just for the privileged ones. If they don't change their ways now, when will it be? If the situation will become worse? Providing better health assistance should be their topmost priority to ensure public health and safety.
Second, there are recent reports either nationwide or local, that government officials are corrupting the funds for Covid-19. It even rumored that donated chickens are kept for their personal use. And PhilHealth officials face 15-Billion Fraud. Again, corruption is also not a new issue. Even if people are already used to it, yet they still question themselves that even amidst to pandemic, is this rightful to do? This is an injustice because as a citizen, they have the right to know where their taxes went. They can see that the administrations did their best but some funds for the pandemic are not allocated properly and corruption still flows within the country.
Lastly, the lack of health workers is one of the main problems. On August 3, 2020, the DOH confirmed that 5, 008 medical frontliners are deeply infected with the virus. Therefore, the total amount of numbers of health workers is slowly decreasing. This will continue to be a problem unless there is already a vaccine. There is a report from Rappler, stating that health workers are risking their lives to fight COVID-19 despite the low pay. The health government should change their master plan by starting off rewarding the health workers with what they deserved. And they should also focus and give importance to the country's medical institutions to strengthen the healthcare system.
Fast and decisive actions can make a difference. These reasons cost lives and even health risks of individuals. Sometimes, a person must experience things to realize. Everybody is not against the government, but this will serve as a lesson. Covid-19 has brought a significant influence on devastating effects on such health, education, economic rights, etc. Many are experiencing an outbreak due to the miscarriage of addressing its strategic preparedness and response plan that would have outlined the public health measure. When will it improve? How many lives should be at risk just to change the system? THE CHANGE SHOULD START NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.
References:
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/business/2020/6/5/unemployment-April-2020-COVID-19.html
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/190091/ph-now-has-most-covid-19-cases-in-southeast-asia
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/274579/9789290226734-eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/salary-nurses-philippines
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