health care

Overwhelmingly underfunded

November 8, 2025

“As I was being wheeled out of the hospital, I took vivid mental note of the institution’s decrepit condition – details I may have overlooked while receiving care from our underpaid health workers.”

Where are the hospitals with Zero Balance Billing?

August 13, 2025

PhilHealth’s No Balance or Zero Balance Billing program is available in only 78 Department of Health hospitals and 4 GOCC hospitals nationwide, with five still under development. But only patients in basic accommodation or ward sections can avail of this benefit. Despite this program, the government has failed to substantially decrease the share of out-of-pocket […]

Not enough urgent care and barangay health facilities

August 12, 2025

One doctor per bayan?

August 12, 2025

Only 2 out of 17 regions in the Philippines have met the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 10 doctors per 10,000 population. The national average stands at 5 doctors per 10,000 population, with 12 regions falling below this average. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has an even lower rate at 0.4 […]