RECENT tropical storm “Dante” and the flashfloods it left reminded us that climate change poses threats not only to the environment but health as well.
As weather becomes unpredictable, we ought to prepare and equip the country for the needs of its people. Climate change, urbanization and the need to feed a growing population have placed a heavy strain on our resources and there is an urgent need to address the dangers they pose to the health of our people and the sustainability of our development.
Now, more than ever, Filipinos’ access to the healthcare system must be address as it is still hampered by financial, physical, social and cultural barriers. To help achieve the country’s vision of universal primary healthcare services, it is not enough to be contented with the present capacity of the country’s healthcare system. It is important to build the country’s capability for research and development not only to fuel the necessary innovation that will lead to a responsive and efficient health care system but also to preempt fatal occurrences.
Moreover, according to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), a child born in a developing country is more likely to be in a disadvantaged position in terms of survival. A child born in developing countries like the Philippines is almost 14 times more likely to die during the first month of life. Statistics show that almost half of the deaths of Filipino children under five years old is within the first 28 days of life.
Worse, maternal health in the country is also far from other developed country’s statistics. According to UNICEF, complications in childbirth are brought by hemorrhage, sepsis, hypertension and abortive outcomes, which are actually preventable.
Where do we start? There is a need to shore up our capacities and invest on research initiatives. This would accelerate our efforts to prevent maternal and new-born deaths.
Trust science. Build capacities for health research and development activities. Produce new knowledge through research; organizations, and other members of the health research community. Secure sustainable financing for health research and development. Encourage individuals to pursue research as a career. Inculcate internationally and culturally accepted ethical standards and principles especially in researches involving human subjects and participants. Ensure public access to the information and other outputs generated by the health research systems.
Our country’s ability to ensure optimum health for every Filipino hinges on the degree of priority we grant to health research and development activities.
