Dr. Tony Leachon, a prominent health reform advocate, sharply criticized the Philippines' healthcare system during The Manila Times' Innovative Keys to Universal Health forum. He highlighted the disparity between government promises and actual implementation, citing issues such as misallocated funds, a lack of public subsidies, and the failure to prioritize health as a national concern.
Health reform advocate Dr. Tony Leachon delivered a scathing critique of the Philippines' current health care reform landscape at The Manila Times' Innovative Keys to Universal Health forum on Thursday. Leachon emphasized the stark contrast between government pledges and their practical implementation, particularly concerning universal health care and the execution of health-related policies.
'The problem isn't the law itself; it's the execution,' Leachon asserted, underscoring the chasm between the Philippines' health care laws and their tangible impact. He pointed to the misallocation of funds, including the P90 billion designated for health care, and the absence of public subsidies. Leachon condemned the government's decision to reduce tobacco taxes, a move that could potentially fuel smoking rates and further jeopardize funding for vital health care programs like PhilHealth. Leachon also denounced what he perceived as a political fixation on election-year promises rather than concrete action. He argued that many political leaders fail to deliver on their commitments, citing health care as a glaring example of the disconnect between rhetoric and reality. 'The ones creating the laws are also the ones breaking them,' he stated, pointing to violations of the Sin Tax Law and the Universal Health Care Law.Despite these criticisms, Leachon acknowledged the ongoing attempts to bolster funding for universal health care. However, he expressed skepticism about whether these measures would suffice to address the nation's multifaceted health care challenges. 'Health is not a major priority in our country,' he lamented, suggesting that this lack of emphasis could impede progress. The health advocate further stressed the urgency of tackling the country's leading causes of death instead of prematurely expanding benefit packages. He advocated for a more focused approach to health care, prioritizing the most pressing health issues before considering ancillary measures. 'We need to focus on the main problems of the country before we can do some peripheral measures,' Leachon emphasized
HEALTHCARE REFORM PHILIPPINES UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE FUNDING HEALTH PRIORITIES
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