Inadequate access to healthcare services could spell doom for a country’s economic progress.
The losses that the Philippine government incurs from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) alone were already estimated to be equivalent to as much as 4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product yearly, according to Peter Sheehan, research director at Australia’s Victoria Institute of Strategic Economic Studies.
Health Undersecretary Kenneth Hartigan-Go with Peter Sheehan during a press briefing held recently on the sidelines of the APEC meetings in Cebu.
And this figure, Sheehan warned, is expected to rise steadily to 6 percent by 2030 given the growing incidence of NCDs such as cancer, respiratory ailments, obesity and diabetes. This scenario assumes that the government is unable to curb the impact of the associated risk factors such as traffic congestion, pollution and other stresses.
“Firstly in many economies, risk factors for various forms of NCDs arising like diabetes, obesity and mental health we’re just starting to address. In every country, and US is a good example, the disadvantage of poverty and getting good services to the poor part of population is a big issue and it’s true in the Philippines,” Sheehan said on the sidelines of an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting held in Cebu City recently.
Apec member economies do recognize the need to address the changing landscape of global health challenges, as well as the “double burden” of disease resulting from economic and health trends across the region. The Philippines, for one, had urged Apec members to embark on initiatives that could promote health, which was deemed critical in stimulating and sustaining economic and social development.
“Good health allows citizens to reach their full productive potential, and the innovations that drive good health provide an astounding economic return,” Health Secretary Janette P. Loreto-Garin emphasized.
Health Secretary Janette Garin
Separately, Health Undersecretary Kenneth Hartigan-Go similarly noted that the Philippine government, along with Apec members, recognizes the need to address various health concerns, as this move was critical to increasing productivity and quality of life in the Asia Pacific region.
Priority actions
In one of the Apec meetings held in Cebu recently, the Health Working Group (HWG) and the Life Sciences Innovation Forum (LSIF) discussed the results of new initiatives and provided recommendations in preparation for the APEC Leaders’ Meeting in November.
Apec leaders are addressing issues
on health and various related topics which are said to be crucial to the economy’s growth.
The four key priority actions were:
(1) Roadmap for the “Healthy Asia Pacific 2020 Initiative” which covers the critical success factors and immediate actions to ensure that the initiative is implemented in a meaningful, sustainable, cost-effective way to mitigate threats to the region’s people, trade and economic security;
(2) The need to address the continuous rise of infectious diseases and anti-microbial resistance especially those acquired in health care and institutional settings;
(3) Initiating promotion of both physical and mental well-being particularly addressing the increase of chronic diseases and promoting mental health and reduce its stigma; and
(4) Emphasizing on the fiscal implications of ill-health reiterating that as more people are forced to retire early because of ill-health, the economy will become less productive.
“The discussions hope to identify priority actions to create a roadmap for the ’Healthy Asia Pacific 2020 Initiative.’ Although there are many healthcare issues, you cannot immediately address them as it needs a whole systems approach. We have already identified some of the building blocks that include people, governance and regulations and policies. We recognize the need to provide immediate access to health products and to quality health care services to achieve economic and inclusive growth,” Go said.
Private sector role
Go noted that the private sector can also provide a significant contribution, particularly in harnessing technology as a tool to improve healthcare conditions in the Philippines.
“The use of information technology and 21st century tools to make things efficient is one of the things that we are looking at to fully achieve economic growth through good health,” Go further noted.
Fortunately, there are companies that have long decided to embark on initiatives that can contribute to improve the delivery of healthcare services across the country. As early as 2012, leading telecommunications provider Globe Telecom has already been eyeing ways to help improve access to quality healthcare through technological advances.
“Globe Telecom already saw a potentially significant opportunity to improve access to quality healthcare using technological advances. Three main ’pain points’ were identified: accessibility, time, and affordability. Collaborating with Salud Interactiva, one of the foremost companies in the integration and dynamics of healthcare services in Mexico, KonsultaMD was born in an effort to address these challenges,” said Maridol D. Ylanan CEO of Global Telehealth, Inc., an affiliate of Globe that currently operates KonsultaMD.
“Many mobile network operators around the world have already tried or started to offer healthcare solutions based on their local context. KonsultaMD underscores the role of telecommunications in transforming the way healthcare is provided worldwide. Through information and communications technology (ICT), KonsultaMD will be able to provide practical solutions in a cost effective manner while enjoying the benefits of modern healthcare,” Ylanan explained.
KonsultaMD is a 24/7 health hotline service manned by licensed Filipino doctors who provide medical assessment and information, including basic healthcare and permissible medication over the phone. While KonsultaMD does not replace face-to-face interaction between doctors and patients, it provides “interim care” especially in rural areas where access to healthcare facilities is not immediately available. This proposes a better alternative to self-medication that most Filipinos are practicing because of the high cost of health care.
It also provides straightforward help with health and medical-related questions. This includes medical information to common but important questions on pregnancy, infant and/or toddler care, fever and other general ailments, signs and symptoms, diet, and other concerns.
Licensed Filipino doctors are ready to
provide medical advise 24/7 to anyone in the country through KonsultaMD.
“With KonsultaMD, the public will be able to get immediate and affordable medical attention with no waiting time, and connect with skilled and licensed Filipino doctors anytime, anywhere in the Philippines,” Ylanan noted.
KonsultaMD is available to its customers at affordable subscription plans. Globe Postpaid customers only need to pay a subscription fee of P150 per month which includes the subscriber and up to four additional household members. Subscription is free for two months upon enrolment and will apply on the third month onwards. Globe Prepaid and TM customers may subscribe for P15 a week. Subscription fee is waived for Platinum Elite members.
Calls using Globe or TM are charged P1 per minute while calls within Metro Manila via landline are currently free. Non-Globe users have to pay the standard NDD rate for calls outside Metro Manila or regular mobile to landline rate, whichever is applicable.
“All Globe consumer postpaid, prepaid and TM customers may subscribe by signing up at www.konsulta.md, by calling (02) 7988000 or by visiting a Globe Store. Platinum Elite members may subscribe via their Platinum Relationship Manager. Non-Globe users may visit a Globe Store,” Ylanan said.
Tech advances
Such services, which are anchored largely on current technological advances, are expected to play a crucial role in helping the Philippines push forward its agenda in the ongoing Apec meetings, which considered the issues of quality and access to healthcare as enablers of economic growth and progress.
“Technology plays a very important role for KonsultaMD. And as technology continues to improve and innovate, so will KonsultaMD’s services. We feel that the emergence of telehealth will make healthcare more efficient in the Philippines. Again, accessibility, time, and affordability are all challenges for a significant portion of our population. The ratio of patients to doctors in some parts of this country is as low as 30,000 to 1,” said Vinchi Sy-Quia, Marketing Director of Global Telehealth, Inc.
In rural areas, the doctor-patient ratio is highest with three doctors attending to 100,000 patients; seven doctors for every 10,000 patients in the urban areas; while the national average stood at 3.5 doctors attending to 10,000 patients. KonsultaMD is thus well positioned to provide crucial medical information to anyone and anywhere in the Philippines through its services.
In the coming days, Globe Telecom expects that through KonsultaMD, it will be able to continue to play an extremely significant role in the overall growth of the country’s economy by means of providing access to factual medical information and crucial interim care.
“The ratio of doctors to patients in this country is low. As a father of two young boys, I know what it feels like to rush a child with a fever into an Emergency Room at 3 in the morning, wait to be attended to in a busy ER, and then hours later pay a large bill after being told to manage the fever at home. My experience is just one of the many health and healthcare struggles we all have in our lives. Personally, I am glad KonsultaMD is now available and I am very proud to be part of it,” Sy-Quia said.
“This is only the beginning for us. We’re just warming up. We’re not at liberty at the moment to go into specifics but the team is already working hard to make KonsultaMD’s services even better,” he concluded.
