Pandemic ‘exposed systemic ills’ in PH’s healthcare system —Robredo

Vice President Leni Robredo. (Photo by Jay Ganzon / OVP)

MANILA, Philippines — For Vice President Leni Robredo, the COVID-19 pandemic has uncovered “systemic ills” in the country’s healthcare system.

“Parang ‘yung (the) pandemic exposed the systemic ills in our healthcare system,” Robredo said on ONE News’ Agenda on Wednesday.

“Masyado tayong naging complacent in the past na nung nagkaroon ng pandemic, ‘yung lahat ng pagpapabaya natin over the years naramdaman natin ngayon,” she lamented.

(We became complacent in the past. When the pandemic emerged, that negligence over the years was felt.)

Robredo, also a presidential aspirant in the 2022 elections, pointed out that the Universal Healthcare Law should be implemented well, and access to health services should be smooth to address the pandemic’s challenges.

“Una, ayusin ‘yung operationalization ng Universal Healthcare Law. Pangalawa, ayusin talaga ‘yung accessibility, meaning to say, aayusin natin na for every region, for every province, mayroon talagang mga ospital na kumpleto sa gamit, kumpleto sa tao na ‘yung mga taong nagkakasakit sa mga probinsya, hindi na nila kailangan lumabas pa ng Maynila para magpagamot,” she explained.

(First, fix the operationalization of the Universal Healthcare Law. Second, fix the accessibility, meaning to say, for every region and province, there should be hospitals with complete equipment and workers so patients do not have to go to Manila for treatment.)

The Vice President likewise urged disease prevention and treatment at the community level.

“Pangatlo, talagang kailangan natin i-strengthen ‘yung community-based, kailangan natin ‘yung community-based na ibaba sa communities, hindi lang ‘yung paggamot pero pati ‘yung prevention kasi ito ‘yung makakadagdag talaga sa accessibility,” she said.

(Third, we need to strengthen our community-based prevention and treatment because it adds to accessibility.)

Robredo also pushed to address issues with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and health workers seeking better opportunities abroad.

The country’s COVID-19 cases on Tuesday passed the 3 million mark after recording 28,007 fresh infections.

/MUF