Pinoys Dying From Lack Of Doctors

Pinoys dying from lack of doctors

Philippine Star
Monday, August 11, 2008

With the growing global demand for physicians and other health workers, medical doctors in the country continue to dwindle in number and are fast becoming a rare breed. In fact, seven out of 10 sick Filipinos die untreated due to the acute lack of doctors in the country, former health secretary Jaime Galvez-Tan disclosed yesterday. Tan said the country’s health care delivery system is now nearing collapse as the shortage of doctors has persisted for decades. “Our health care system is collapsing and in some areas, particularly in urban communities, has collapsed,” Tan told The STAR.

He noted that 21 municipalities and seven government hospitals in Western Samar as well as all the five municipalities of Sulu have no doctors. “There are 120 municipalities nationwide at this time without doctors. The figure was down from the 271 doctorless municipalities but just the same that’s 120 municipalities and many people are living there,” he pointed out.

In 1992, Tan said the Department of Health (DOH) launched the “Doctors to the Barrio” program in an effort to fill up the 271 municipalities. Sixteen years later, Tan said, the DOH’s program hardly succeeded in deploying health care professionals to the country’s doctorless municipalities.

He admitted that the widening demand for doctors in various developed countries is further worsening the doctors’ shortage. “Foreign countries like Finland and France that were not recruiting doctors before are now offering $6,000 salaries for physicians and we cannot match that,” Tan said.

A growing number of Filipino doctors are also studying again to become nurses so they could easily go abroad. Citing data from the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC), Tan said that 10,000 doctors have become nurses and 99 percent passed the licensure examination.
“Of the 10,000 doctors who became nurses, 6,000 have already left for abroad,” he said.

To further compound the situation, Tan said that fewer young Filipinos are now taking up medicine due to high cost of education. “From 30,000 two years ago, the number of medical students are now down to 1,500. So we could just imagine how many will remain by 2012,” he said.

According to Tan, many Filipino would actually choose to stay in the country over the lure of high-paying jobs but the lack of support from the government drives them away. “They would want to stay and treat people here, but government hospitals do not have the necessary facilities and it’s very frustrating for them,” he explained.

For this year, Tan said, the government allocated 50 centavos for every Filipino’s health care, which is not even enough to buy a tablet of painkiller. He urged the government to come out with appropriate measures that would require Filipino doctors to stay in the country. “While other countries are in need of doctors, the Philippines should not suffer for it. Thus, if developed countries would hire Filipino doctors, they should replenish them by providing training to those who are here,” Tan said. He added that medical graduates of state universities should also be required to serve in the country before going abroad. “Starting next year, those who are entering medical course at the University of the Philippines and are set to graduate in 2018 are required to stay and serve here for three years,” Tan said.

He also expressed confidence that with programs honoring the few patriotic doctors, more medical experts would opt to stay and serve in remote areas. To celebrate its 75th foundation year, UP’s Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity is mounting the first search for hero doctors. Dubbed “Diamonds in the Rough,” the national search for young doctors in community setting aims to highlight the heroism of Filipino doctors amid the lure of overseas employment and recent scandals that tainted the medical sector.

Speaking before the launching of the Search, Sen. Richard Gordon doctors serving in far-flung communities must be given recognition. “There are less and less doctors in the field and they have become a rare breed,” Gordon said, adding that as mayor he had difficulty filling up vacancies in government hospitals. He also pledged to work on a proposed measure that would provide higher financial benefits and bring doctors back in communities.

Fraternity alumni association president Dr. Manuel Chiaco said that with the project they hope to give exemplary model for today’s youth. “On our 75th year, we felt not just celebrating, but also honor those who are working in distant communities that are so remote that their works are practically unheard of,” Chiaco said.

With Philippine STAR as one of the partners, Phi Kappa Mu superior exemplar Vincent Varilla said the search would have three major award categories - Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Qualified to join are licensed doctors below 40 years who have actively served the community for five years and have not been recognized by other award giving bodies.

A screening committee will select nine finalists from all the nominees and elevate them to the final evaluation committee, who will select winners from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The three winners will receive P100,000 worth of prizes to be given during the awarding rites in December. – Mayen Jaymalin

Old Manila

Wow! I chanced upon these three videos of pre-war Manila and what gems they are. I had to watch them several times because there are many details worth discovering and enjoying. Some of these are the native costumes, the cars, the gypsy boats on the Pasig river, the pre-war Intramuros, the caromatas (two passengers) and caretelas (up to six passengers), the Tranvia (streetcar), the famed Escolta and the colonial buildings.

In the second video, I found the piece on the Hospicio de San Jose's revolving crib very interesting. The narrator tells of the Philippines Constabulary Band which won the grand prize in a competition in the St. Louis Expo and still then one of the world's bests. Then and now, Filipinos are the best musicians. The Manila Bilibid Prison's 'cadet' formations then make me think the present day Cebu Prison phenomenon a poor copycat.

The third video shows the very beautiful Dewey Boulevard, now Roxas Blvd. And there's a shot of a very clean beach and a nice pier! Listen to the very beautiful soundtrack of video #3.

Wow, wow, wow. And more wow.

Click the Play buttons only once to watch videos.

The Ring by Jun Lana

The Ring
JunLana,blogspot.com

Sabi ng friends ko magpalit na raw ako ng cellphone. Bakit kaya?



Hahaha. Cellphone ko yan 5 years ago. Sobrang favorite ko kaya tago-tago ko pa. Yung gamit ko ngayon, medyo jurassic na rin. Hindi talaga ako mahilig magpalit ng model. Hindi rin ako mahilig mag text. O mag-check ng text. Bilib nga ako sa mga taong pag tinext mo, nakakasagot agad. Eh ako madalas nasa bag ang cellphone, naka-silent pa.

Dati, gigil na gigil sa akin si Mother Lily pag hindi ko nasasagot agad ang tawag niya. Eto yung panahon na lima-lima ata ang cellphones ni Mother. Minsan sa gitna ng meeting namin, sabay-sabay na magri-ring lahat. Sabay-sabay niya ring kakausapin. Yung isang kausap, maririnig mo, minumura niya. Yung isa, kinakantahan ng happy birthday. Siyempre meron din siyang ini-Instik. Tapos minsan magri-ring din yung landline, at sasagutin niya rin yun. Mamaya gulung-gulo na siya kung sino ang kausap niya. Yung may birthday minumura na niya, at yung kaaway kanina bigla na niyang kinakantahan.


Nung bata ako, sobrang traumatic sa akin ang paggamit ng telephono. Hiwalay ang parents ko, at araw-araw pag bakasyon, Lunes hanggang Biyernes, ako ang inuutusan ng mommy kong tawagan ang daddy ko sa office para humingi ng pera. Sasabihin ng daddy ko, walang pera. Pagbalik ko sa mommy ko, magagalit siya. Tawagan mo uli ang daddy mo at sabihin mo sa kanya, ang dami niyang kotse tapos wala siyang pera? Gago siya, gago, gago! At para eksakto ang sasabihin ko, isusulat pa ng mommy ko sa papel lahat ng pagmumura niya sa daddy ko para basahin ko sa telepono. Alangan namang hindi ka sumunod. Eh di babasahin ko yun sa daddy ko. Papa, sabi ni mama gago ka raw. Gago, gago, gago… po. At least magalang di ba? Saka walang emotion para maintindihan ng daddy ko na hindi ako ang kaaway niya.


Kaya isa sa favorite actresses ko si Jacklyn Jose. Nakaka-relate ako sa underacting technique niya. 8 years old pa lang ako na-master ko na yun. Pa, hayup ka raw. Magsama daw kayo ng kabit n’yo sa impiyerno… po. Siyempre kahit anong galang ko, magagalit din ang daddy ko. At mumurahin niya rin ang mommy ko. Ma, sabi ni Papa gaga ka rin daw. Gaga, gaga, gaga… po. Eh di lalong titindi ang away. Talo pa nila ang nagpi-pingpong. Ako yung bola.


Buti sana kung may sarili kaming telepono. Kinse minutos ang nilalakad ko papuntang palengke para lang makitawag. Hindi ako pwedeng mag-tricycle kasi sakto lang sa pambayad sa telepono ang dala kong pera. Imagine, trenta minutos ang roundtrip. Nakakailang balik ako, at minsan tinatakbo ko pa pag tanghali para maabutan ang daddy ko bago mag-lunch break. Minsan gusto ko nang mag-collapse sa sobrang pagod at ngarag. Kaya hate ko ang bakasyon nung elementary ako.


Pero in fairness, dahil sa training na yun, tuwing may sportsfest sa school, ako ang laging pambato pag may marathon.


Ambilis ko kayang tumakbo.

Heavenly Food

Above, Daing na Bangus served with pickled vegetables, upland rice and bagoong in Cafe by the Ruins in Baguio City. Check that place out.

I was in California last weekend to visit with relatives in San Jose. We had a blast eating every lunchtime and dinner during those three days as we celebrated three graduations, a birthday, and several welcome dinners for an uncle visiting from the Philippines. Oh how I enjoyed Higado, a favorite Ilocano food and I had to ask an aunt to reserve some for me to bring back to Phoenix.

Heading back to Phoenix, I handcarried a big bunch of Kangkong! I got strange looks from airport inspectors and a knowing smile from an Ilocano security checker in San Jose. In my suitcase were frozen Daing na Bangus, Morcon, Higado, Nilagang Talong, Pinakbet, atbp.

Summer in my dreams

Greece remains to be a dream as I've never been there. These pictures, more than ever, make me want to escape the Arizona desert even now. Some of these beaches I've seen in the movie Captain Corelli's Mandolin which was shot in Cephallonia, Greece and starred Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz. I should look for that DVD again.

Tagulan, Tagtuyot, atbp

It's rainy season back home in the Philippines. (And hurricane season in many parts of the US). A common sight during the attendant flooding is that of vehicles plodding through flood waters. The picture above is a pretty sight but I do not wish this to happen anyhow in Manila or elsewhere.

Below is a refreshing scene in Anywhere, Philippines. How I miss that raincoat worn by farmers while working the fields. If I remember it right, it's made of Anahaw? My late grandfather farmer used to own one. The headgear is unfamiliar to me, I mean it doesn't look Filipino. It looks Vietnamese but the material is different. My grandfather used to wear a Tabungaw, we called it. It's a headgear made out of the hardened dried "upo" vegetable/fruit.

Meanwhile, back in the deserts of Phoenix Arizona, we could only wish for the rain. It's June 23 and the temperature this afternoon was 113 F. or 45 C. Wheew. The heat is dry though and not very uncomfortable. I walked to the nearby CVS store and did not even sweat.

As I find beauty in the rain-drenched Philippines, I also find a different beauty in the Valley of the Sun.

Missing Boracay

Waaa, hu hu hu. Summer is almost over and I've not been to a beach yet. Summer in the Philippines, I mean. Actually, summer is just starting in Phoenix. So, there is hope. Who knows? The Carribean is just a flight away. Or some Mexican beach is just a long bus ride. But nothing compares to Boracay!

My Creator King

Commercial Break

Quotes

Swirling lines of ancient sand dunes, now Navajo sandstone, lie in Coyote Buttes of the Paria Plateau in far northern Arizona

"A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing."

"How close are we to God? As close as our knees are to the floor when we pray."

Sergio and Marimar Wedding

Vamos El METRO de Filipinas

Nice one! This advertisement of Madrid METRO (yes, Spain) was shot in Surigao del Sur, Philippines. It stars Junix Inocian, Ronnie Lazaro among others. A very well made spot, I must say. The last shot is that of Batad rice terraces in Banaue. Makes me want to go home.

Huwag naman sanang isipin ng mga Espanol na wala pa tayong LRT or MRT. Phoenix AZ nga, wala pa eh. (bakit may eh sa huli?)

It's All About You (It's Not About Me)

I Just Want To Be Where You Are

His Strength Is Perfect

An Interview With God

One More Gift

One More Gift of Peace.... Para sa Pilipinas at sa Mundo.

CHANGE

Arizona

"Be the change you wish there is in the world today" - Mahatma Gandhi

I remember the quote above as I reflect on what is happening in the world especially in the Philippines today. Many Americans look up to Barack Obama as the embodiment of change. Filipinos clamor for change in their leaders and in the system. But Gandhi, I believe, says it best. "Be the change".

212

Today is Two Twelve! This 12th day of February is the perfect day to be inspired by the 212° message:

At 211 degrees, water is already very hot.
At 212 degrees, it boils.
And with boiling water comes steam.
And with steam, you can power a train.

Make today be the day when you incorporate 212° into your life: give that extra effort…go the extra degree…and you’ll ultimately achieve results beyond your wildest expectations!

We Fall Down

Here I Am To Worship

I Need Thee Every Hour/Through It All

I Need Thee Every Hour

I need thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like thine
Can peace afford.

Refrain
I need thee, O I need thee;
Every hour I need thee;
O bless me now, my Saviour,
I come to thee.

I need thee every hour;
Stay thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power
When thou art nigh.

Refrain

I need thee every hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.

Refrain

I need thee every hour;
Teach me thy will;
And thy rich promises
In me fulfill

Amazing Grace by Wintley Phipps

RP's Richest 40 by Forbes

Forbes lists RP’s 40 richest

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Philstar.com

The Philippines’ growing economy and robust stock market, assisted by a strong peso and a declining dollar, have boosted the fortunes of its richest citizens.

For the first time in years Forbes magazine has included a Filipino among the world’s top billionaires. It also listed 39 others as Philippines’ richest, with a total worth of $17 billion.

The complete list of the Philippines’ 40 richest:

1. Jaime Zobel de Ayala and family ($2 billion)
2. Henry Sy and family ($1.7 billion)
3. Lucio Tan and family ($1.6 billion)
4. Andrew Tan ($1.1 billion)
5. Manuel Villar ($940 million)
6. George Ty ($870 million)
7. Andrew Gotianun ($860 million)
8. Enrique Razon Jr. ($820 million)
9. Tony Tan Caktiong and family ($790 million)
10. Oscar Lopez and family ($775 million)
11. Vivian Que Azcona and family ($670 million)
12. Inigo and Mercedes Zobel ($660 million)
13. Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. ($540 million)
14. Emilio Yap and family ($445 million)
15. John Gokongwei Jr. and family ($430 million)
16. Enrique Aboitiz and family ($375 million)
17. Alfonso Yuchengco and family ($365 million)
18. Beatrice Campos ($220 million)
19. David Consunji and family ($210 million)
20. Luis Virata ($200 million)
21. Gilberto Duavit Jr. and family ($191 million)
22. Menardo Jimenez and family ($190 million)
23. Felipe Gozon and family ($165 million)
24. Mariano Tan and family ($140 million)
25. Ramon del Rosario Jr. ($137 million)
26. Ronaldo and Rosalinda Hortaleza ($110 million)
27. Manuel Zamora ($105 million)
28. Betty Ang ($100 million)
29. Tomas Alcantara and family ($90 million)
30. Frederick Dy ($70 million)
31. Wilfred Steven Uytengsu Sr. ($60 million)
32. Salvador Zamora ($55 million)
33. Oscar Hilado and family ($51 million)
34. Philip T. Ang ($50 million)
35. Magdaleno Albarracin Jr. ($49 million)
36. Jesus Tambunting ($47 million)
37. Antonio Roxas ($36 million)
38. Manuel Pangilinan ($35 million)
39. Marixi Rufino-Prieto and family ($33 million)
40. Lourdes Montinola ($30 million)

Bakit wala sa list si Art Catubay? Nagtatanong lang po.

Our Daily Bread

"The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God. And we really are His children" (1 John 3:1)


Marc Benjamin P. Catubay














Kevin Carlo P. Catubay

Cast Thy Burdens by Don Moen