Access to Universal Health Care in the Philippines:  The Challenges of Ethnicity, Barriers, and Inequities

Vilma B. Ramos

doi:10.18733/cpi29782

Authors

Vilma B. Ramos Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology Center for Indigenous Peoples Education

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18733/cpi29782

Keywords:

Health care access, universal health care, healthcare services, barriers to health care access

Abstract

The Universal Health Care Program is one of the cornerstones of the Philippine development directions. Its primary objective is to enhance, and update health reform programs by removing inequities in health outcomes. To assess the efficacy of the program, the study measures access to healthcare services of 371 Indigenous Peoples (IPs) belonging to three different ethnic groups. It used qualitative and quantitative approaches consisting of; interviews, focus group discussions and surveys. Overall, the study reveals that Indigenous Peoples occasionally accessed healthcare services; seldom accessed healthcare facilities and occasionally accessed services provided by healthcare personnel. The study thus recommends that the design of healthcare services be standardized and customized to include IP client’s (IP) health needs, level of education, health demands, geographic locations, cultural practices and socio-economic conditions.

Author Biography

Vilma B. Ramos, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology Center for Indigenous Peoples Education

Dr. Vilma B. Ramos is a well-known faculty member in the academic community. Ramos is actively involved with the Centre for Indigenous Peoples Education (CIPE) which supports Indigenous students’ academic needs, and acts as a development partner for the Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs)/ Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Nueva Ecija. As importantly, Dr. Ramos works with the College of Public Administration and Disaster Management which provides opportunities for future public servants and young people who wish to pursue higher education.

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