Affordable primary health care services for the needy
Implemented in a timely and helpful manner, primary health care can also reduce the need for specialist care, which may be unnecessary and have the potential to harm patients.
The effect of population growth can be positive or negative depending on the circumstances. A large population has the potential to be great for economic development — the more people there is, the more work is done, and the more work is done, the more value is created.
By end of the year, the country’s population is seen to hit 110.8 million according to the Commission on Population and Development or PopCom. That is a projected 1.31 percent increase from 109,480,590 at the onset of 2020 — slower than the 1.68 percent growth rate in 2016, and 1.45 percent rise between 2019 and 2020.
In terms of birth rate, the Philippine Statistics Authority’s data shows that as of January 2021, more than 4,500 infants are born daily in the Philippines. Every newborn infant can already be considered as a new consumer, and will eventually contribute to the ever-growing demand for resources.
With the continuous increase of our population, ensuring that available resources are enough to sustain everyone’s needs is imperative. It is also important to ensure that the citizenry remains productive to effectively contribute and play a vital role in the economy’s growth.
For the populace to be productive, there is a need for the government to provide two basic needs — health care and education. The population must have access to these essentials to be a productive member of the community. A healthy, well-educated citizen will be able to perform his duties and responsibilities, thereby contributing to the community and country.
Access to health services means an individual, regardless of socio-economic status, is afforded with the right medical and hospital services. There is apparently a more basic type of health care service that the government can strengthen and focus on — primary health care.
The concept of primary health care, a brainchild of former President Ferdinand Marcos in the late ’70s, focuses on the implementation of a health care system toward the health development at the barangay level.
According to the World Health Organization, primary health care focuses on promoting holistic health for the members of the community — covering not just the physical health but also the mental and social well-being of each individual.
Primary health care involves educating the community on how to maintain their good health and to avoid illness and disease.
Since primary health care is implemented at the community level, barangay health centers serve as the major touchpoint for the service. The system aims to promote good health in the community, control population growth, lower mortality rate among infants and toddlers, and prevent the spread and incidence of diseases.
The system empowers the community with knowledge on basic nutrition, a balanced diet and lifestyle changes to prevent diseases like diabetes and hypertension. They are also taught how to prevent diseases that easily spread in the community like dengue and tuberculosis.
Once a week, free vaccination is scheduled against common diseases that infect children below six years old, such as measles, diphtheria, tetanus, and polio. Knowledge on family planning and proper care during pregnancy is also part of primary health care.
Aside from an efficient primary health care system, access to affordable hospital services should also be established. With the Covid-19 pandemic, it is imperative that anyone who needs hospital care must be attended to, regardless of the patient’s financial capacity. Health care services should be available to all and should remain non-discriminatory.
Primary care is the first point of contact with health services and provides a point of entry for the entire health system. Research has shown that access to primary health services is linked to better health results, including improvements in self-rated health and a reduction in all-cause mortality.
Implemented in a timely and helpful manner, primary health care can also reduce the need for specialist care, which may be unnecessary and have the potential to harm patients.
The scripture says: “In humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” It is always great to help in any way we can especially for people in need.
Primary health care focuses on promoting holistic health for the members of the community — covering not just the physical health but also the mental and social well-being of each individual.