Philippine’s Healthcare System during the Pandemic

By: Paul Jann S. Miranda, RN

Master of Arts in Nursing Major in Nursing Administration

It has been already 8 months that our nation has been batteling the Novel Conoravirus 2019.
As we can all remember, it was last December 2019 that the first case coming from China was
reported. Philippines health care system trembles on its feet when COVID-19 hits us. Pretty much like
a wildfire how it spreads all over the country. In this situation, I can’t help but wonder “Is our health
care system functional on a real Pandemic onslaught?”

Unfortunately, the Pandemic exposed how our health care system is flawed, unorganized, and
almost a failure. As the government struggles to find the best way to react on the rising issue, the
virus is already rattling and spreading throughout the cities and provinces in our country. At first,
flights are still ongoing although advised to cease operation to prevent the spread of the virus. As a
result, hospitals started to felt the inflation of the cases of COVID-19 being catered. Dedicated wards
started to vacate to give way to COVID-19 patients, in anticipation of the rise of COVID-19 cases. It
didn’t stop there; we faced the looming situation of our countries health care system. Doctor, Nurses
and allied professional health workers are getting sick by acquiring the virus and some died already in
the line of duty. Due to lack of PPE’s , understaffed, long hours of duty and more, Philippines was
identified by WHO being one of the highest case of sickness and death among healthcare
professionals.

The occurrence of this pandemic has greatly stained our already stained healthcare system.
The past issues of shortage of staff, overworked healthcare workers, lack of equipment and facility
has just worsens because of this pandemic. And because of that the virus became more rampant
recording, 82,040 confirmed cases, 26,466 recovered and 1,945 deaths as of 28-July-2020. Did we
improve? In my opinion, we are still on the same spot we started, clueless on how to battle the said
virus. Agencies & Departments on constant denial on the severity of the Pandemic. Healthcare
workers grew worrisome, exhausted and on the verge of giving up. We are now in July 2020 and still
no solid plan on how to prevent the spread. The Government exhausting all their resources to support
the affected population and its health care sector.

In the end, the reality is Philippines Healthcare System was never ready. I believe that we have the
capabilities to improve, but it is currently depending on the political choice between economic survival
and the welfare of the people of the Philippines to facilitate the health care system.