Introduction

The Philippines is ranked top 69th in the list of the poorest countries in the Philippines based on its GDP
(Gross Domestic Product); PPP (Purchasing-Power-Parity) per capita. With this, the Healthcare system of
the country is affected.
According to the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Health Care
Performance quality was observed that it deteriorated due to low management capacity and lack of
resources. A health sector reform programme introduced in 2005 helped to address some of these
issues and improve overall health sector performance. It focused on expanding public and preventative
health programmes and access to basic and essential health services in underserved locations. As a
result, the quality of health care varies considerably across the country. Additionally, As stated by The
Philippines Health sErvice Delivery Profile, Highly urbanized metropolitan areas with higher income
levels tend to and are perceived to have better quality health service than the mainly rural impoverished
and often isolated communities where licensing standards are absent, and accreditation rates are very
low.

The major health financing concern in the Philippines is the high level of out-of-pocket
payments, which account for 48% of total health expenditure. The Philippines also has a national health
insurance agency – PhilHealth – however the level of financial protection it provides is limited as
patients are often liable for substantial copayments. Private organizations
The Philippines’ Mental, Physical and Emotional Healthcare has a low rate due to lack of
availability, accessibility, appropriateness and affordability of health services which is affected by various
factors, such as, poor health practices, lack of access to information, financial or geographical barriers, and
weak child-service delivery systems, among others.

However, the Philippines Medical Care System can be considered to be of good standard. Medical
practitioners in the Philippines are graduates from the top universities in the country and most of them
have studied in US medical schools. Additionally, there are doctors that have practiced medicine in the
US before sharing their expertise in the Philippines. Filipino nurses are also trained by nursing schools
that have excellent standards. In fact, a large percentage of Filipino nurses go on to work in the US.
Purpose

The proposed Medical Mission’s purpose is to improve the wellbeing of the residences in
Apayao, Sarangani and Antique. One is located in the Cordilleran region while the two in the Mindanao
Region. This is to ensure that the residences’ physical, mental and emotional well-being is fit and well.

This Concept paper focuses on the Voluntary Medical Mission in Communities named; Apayao
(In Cordillera), Panay (Visayas) and Sarangani (Mindano). The reason for choosing the stated
communities is because it was researched that the two (Sarangani and Apayao) belongs to the list of the
The Poorest Provinces in the Philippines, while the other (Antique, Island of Panay) was chosen for the
reason that, Antique is a home to Negritos.

Studies in Sarangani however reveal that traditional and modern health practices are both
present in these communities; catering to their health needs and demands.

According to Cordillera Administrative Region Health Profile, Apayao has high rating in terms of
Crude Birth Rate, Crude Death Rate, Infant Mortality Rate, Maternal Mortality Rate and Under-Five
Mortality Rate all rated as per Thousand Population.

In Panay, focusing in the Aeta Indigenous People, they mainly use herbal medicine to treat
medical conditions as well as to drive spirits away.

Morbidity Rates are mainly caused by Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (UTI), Hypertension,
Urinary Tract Infection, Acute Respiratory Infection, Wound, Acute Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Acute
Gastroenritis, Diarrhea and Cough. While Leading Causes of Mortality Rates are; Cardiovascular
Diseases, Cancer (all forms), Pneumonia, Heart Diseases, Hypertension, Kidney Diseases, Myocardial
Infarction, Diabetes, Accidents, Trauma and Strokes.

Sup Purpose 1:

Health of the community will be improved

Sub-Purpose 2:

Sub-Purpose 3:

Traditional-Professional Health Systems Convergence on Child Healthcare in Balut.... Available from:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228209207_Traditional-
Professional_Health_Systems_Convergence_on_Child_Healthcare_in_Balut_Island_Sarangani_Davao_d
el_Sur_Philippines [accessed Mar 01 2018].
global finance. Feb 13 2017

https://www.gfmag.com/global-data/economic-data/the-poorest-countries-in-the-world?page=12

the phil health system reviews by asia pacific observatory on health systems and policies

http://www.wpro.who.int/philippines/areas/health_systems/financing/philippines_health_system_revi
ew.pdf

Allianz Care

https://www.allianzworldwidecare.com/en/support/view/national-healthcare-systems/healthcare-in-
philippines/

http://www.wpro.who.int/health_services/service_delivery_profile_philippines.pdf

http://caro.doh.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/CORDILLERA-ADMINISTRTATIVE-REGION-2015-
health-profile.pdf