Literatus: A respite to appreciation

Zosimo T. Literatus, R.M.T.
Breakthroughs

“O cruel cook,” wrote Ambrose Pierce, “pray grant me some relief; some respite from the roast, however brief.”

Today’s article is our respite from the hard science topics of Breakthroughs. Instead, we will have a look at social health insurance (SHI), and the role of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Phic), we also know as PhilHealth.

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I chanced upon a 2006 study that noted some important achievements of the health insurance company that many have not heard of, but countries outside the Philippines have used to improve their own government-led health insurance services.

The research team, led by K. Obermann of the University of Applied Sciences of the German Red Cross in Goettingen (Germany), considered SHI in the Philippines as a “success story so far and provides lessons for countries in a similar situation.”

In Social Science Medicine (June 2006), Obermann noted important factors in the SHI success.

First is the clarity of its societal goals, which “can give guidance in the technical execution,” something not surely found in certain “countries in a similar situation.”

Second, being a financial institution, Philippine SHI treated the company as a financial institution. Needless to say, it cannot be treated as a charity resource or a political milking cow.

Third, it has been “implemented independently of the current economic situation,” thus potentially capable of contributing to economic development.

Obermann also noted areas for improvement. He said that first, there should be “community-based health care financing schemes should be merged with the national SHI in the long run; and second, “there is a strong need to push for high quality care and improved physical access.”

Today, the attainment of that need for high quality care is for the readers to evaluate.

Meanwhile, physical access may not be achieved this year considering the dismal performance in membership goals.

As of June 2009, Phic membership only reached 42 percent in the National Capital Region and Luzon, 36 percent in South Luzon and Visayas, and 22 percent in Mindanao.

That is a far off figure from the mandated universal coverage by 2010, set in Republic Act 7875, or the National Health Insurance Act of 1995, which former president Fidel Ramos approved on Feb. 14, 1995.

Why will not Phic meet the mandated target? That is anyone’s guess until the company explains why a program with a laudable story to tell will fail so.

It is 2010, and at least 50 percent of Filipinos remained uninsured.

But we do appreciate the good things they have done so far.

Voltaire reminds us on the wonders of appreciation: “It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” Let us then appreciate what can be.