Doctors as sociopolitical advocates

Leading one of the biggest organizations of medical specialists like the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) can indeed be a daunting task. Now composed of close to 9,500 doctors who are all specialists in Internal Medicine, it’s one of the most prestigious organizations of opinion leaders, scientists and health advocates.

Outgoing PCP president Dr. Anthony “Tony” Leachon confidently turned over the symbolic truncheon of leadership of the 61-year-old organization to Dr. Mariano “Ning” Lopez, who has committed to continue the various advocacies and programs initiated during the term of Dr. Leachon and his predecessors.

Played a vital role

It is to be remembered that PCP played a vital role as it rallied various medical organizations in the lobbying and final passage of the Sin Tax and Reproductive Health Laws a few years ago. Before they were enacted into laws, the bills had been languishing in both the House of Representatives and the Senate for more than 10 years. The active lobbying done by the doctors and other healthcare professionals provided the essential push that convinced our legislators on the urgent need for such laws.

This highlights the important role of physicians as true social and health advocates. Gone are the days when the healthcare professionals were mere passive spectators just waiting for things to happen. Now they realize that no matter what the doctors and other healthcare professionals do in their respective areas of practice, they can only accomplish so much in improving healthcare delivery in the country.

From the population perspective, we need legislation to really put a dent in curbing the prevalence of killer diseases like heart disease, hypertension, lung diseases, and cancers; in reducing maternal and child deaths; and in addressing the inadequacies of healthcare for the marginalized sectors of society.

Ning, as Dr. Lopez is fondly called, is no stranger to leading distinguished medical organizations. He is a past president of the Philippine Heart Association and the Philippine Society of Echocardiography. He has also been a member of PCP Board of Regents a good number of years—long enough to make him fully acquainted with and prepared for the challenges which leading the organization entails.

With a big organization like PCP, communicating the organization’s activities to all its members nationwide is a major challenge. Despite the advent of the Internet and social media, some doctors are still not social media-savvy; half of them are still using the traditional forms of communication.

Because of this communication problem, I figure that less than a fifth of the members are really actively involved in the various programs and advocacies of the organization.

A potent force

If communication is optimized and the majority of the members become actively involved, this group of influential opinion and thought leaders can be a potent force that can influence various aspects of development in their respective communities. I was told that in some areas wherein the doctors campaigned against politicians perceived to be corrupt or incompetent, these politicians lost.

A quick calculation shows that if PCP members would only have an average base of 2,000 adult patients, that would make a total voting population of 19 million Filipinos nationwide. If the doctors campaign actively for or against a candidate, they could likely convince easily a third of their patients, which could serve as the swing vote that can make a candidate win or lose. If you include the dentists, nurses and other allied professionals, their cumulative influence on their patients could indeed impact the outcome of any elections.

Fiddling with politics is definitely not a major agenda of PCP or other medical organizations, but many PCP members I’ve talked to believe it’s also their responsibility to help enlighten their patients on who they believe could lead the country with integrity and sincerity.

Corruption

Many of our colleagues in the provinces have also seen too much of the corruption in the procurement of hospital equipment and supplies, with likely a hefty sum lining some corrupt politicians’ pockets. Interestingly, these politicians are supporting candidates for national positions who are also believed to be corrupt, probably his or her guarantee that his/her corrupt practices will be tolerated. Business as usual.

Hopefully the doctors can do their humble share in correcting this prevalent malady that is worse than any cancer in our society.

“We must show one and all that we heal our patients with compassion and lead also with integrity,” Tony’s voice reverberated in the convention hall as he stressed the game-changing role that doctors can play in our society.

With the doctors getting more active in the sociopolitical milieu of the nation, this can indeed help create some positive steps in the right direction. If this materializes, this could just turn out to be the worst nightmare of all corrupt politicians.