Livable, healthy cities have forward planning
THE Global Livability Index 2019 ranked the most livable cities in the world and one of its categories for rating was the availability and quality of private and public health care. Now, more than ever, the quality of health care provided by countries as the principal response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic is being scrutinized. According to the World Health Organization, the key characteristics of a well-functioning health system were accessibility and affordability of essential medicines, vaccines and diagnostics technologies; an efficient and highly responsive health workforce; well-organized, continuous and comprehensive service delivery; effective leadership and regulations; and availability of health information systems, among others.
The 2020 Best Countries report ranked the countries with the most well-developed public health care systems. The top 10 countries are Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Based on reports, we can see countries included in the list like the UK, Germany and even Japan that are most affected by the pandemic. In spite of their top-notch health care systems, these countries still struggle to prevent the virus from spreading. It is also very glaring how much more difficult it is for countries with significantly less robust health care systems to carry out mass testing, provide sufficient facilities and technologies, and even supply adequate personal protective gear for the frontliners, among others.
Sadly, the Philippines is included in the Deep Knowledge Group’s list of riskiest countries to stay in during this global health emergency. Aside from our main health concerns, there is the urgent issue that the majority of Filipinos’ finances will not be able to meet their families’ needs all throughout the enhanced community quarantine. Whether we like it or not, this pandemic is altering our way of life. So, what can countries do to cope and increase resiliency?
Improving national healthcare system
South Korea’s rapid and thorough response to Covid-19 was greatly commended as a model for other countries to follow. Complementing their rapid testing policy and strong health system are highly trained, efficient and well-protected frontliners and other health warriors. The government has done well in putting people first in their strategies against the virus. Health workers are wellcompensated and well-equipped. For their upcoming elections, vital reforms like establishing national infection prevention hospitals and a national graduate school for public health care and additional staff in public hospitals have been strongly supported. Unfortunately, the status of our health care system has been a lasting and woeful issue that has long been neglected. The Department of Health has not received sufficient funding for years. As a result, capable and highly trained doctors and nurses prefer working abroad for more competitive salaries, our hospitals are completely overwhelmed and have reached full capacity and our frontliners are not armed with the necessary protective gear.
Enhancing food security
When it comes to food security, instead of solely relying on rural regions to supply food for the city, an agropolis makes a city self-sustaining because it integrates agricultural farms into the urban setting. Derived from the word “meaning farm, and “meaning city, an agropolis places the food source in the city itself or in nearby cities or towns. In other countries, the agropolitan approach is applied as urban farming. Elsewhere, urban rooftops are sprouting everywhere, most especially in the busiest cities.
The world’s largest is a 7.5-hectare rooftop greenhouse in Chicago that produces fresh vegetables equivalent to the yield of a 20-hectare farm. In New York, urban agriculture has been taking over in backyards, rooftops and community gardens as many residents are experiencing its countless benefits. In order for agropolitan development and a productive industry to thrive, land use plans and policies