Health of mums and kids - Philippines and UK

[Doc Alan]

• You’ve had the statistics and medical references. Here is my opinion – ONLY an opinion - about health of mums and kids and how it may be improved in the Philippines. This is in addition to family planning.
• Spend more of the GDP ( Gross Domestic Product ) on a better coordinated and locally available health service.
• More health insurance.
• Train – and retain in the Philippines - more specialist doctors. There are enough nurses/midwives.
• Vaccinations – routine use of rotavirus vaccine ( already planned ) to reduce childhood diarrhoea cases ; pneumococcal vaccine for childhood pneumonia ; BCG for tuberculosis ; hepatitis B vaccine ( prevents commonest form of hepatitis and liver cancer in later life ); vaccines for other childhood infections such as measles ; HPV ( human papilloma virus ) vaccine for 12-13 year old female teenagers ( prevents adult cervical cancer ; cervical screening still necessary). Dengue vaccine – not yet available ; rabies vaccine should be more readily available. Polio has been eradicated ; AIDS and malaria – no vaccines yet, but not major problems.
• Health and Safety – reduce chances of serious injuries, whether on the roads, as a result of “ natural disasters “, or in the home.
• Better / earlier diagnosis and treatment of congenital abnormalities.
• Malnutrition – many factors inter-relate here :- cost and knowledge about healthy / unhealthy foods. Teenage mums especially have poor eating habits, together with smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking illicit drugs.
• Obesity – ironically, also a problem which leads to adult health risks similar to those in the UK. Screening for diabetes is cheap.
• Cataracts – simply and effectively treated – are a major problem. Poor nutrition, measles, and prematurity are others affecting eyesight.
• Better dental care – for a start, regular brushing of teeth with fluoridated toothpaste.
• Obviously some – maybe most - of this is wishful thinking, but it concerns all of us with connections to the country.

[RickyR]

Here is a post I made elsewhere shortly after the birth for anyone interested in the process

Our new baby Son, Joshua, was welcomed into the world at Chong Hua on Friday (10th Sep 2010). Due to complications (previous postpartum heamorrhage, and mother has Alpha Thalassaemia), we had required an Anaesthetist and Heamatologist on standby at all times.
We were advised that a normal deliver is around 40,000 PHP, and know that other patients paid around 38,000 PHP roughly. Our costs were increased because of having a total of 4 doctors involved in the delivery, including the Hospital Director. Also Marvie underwent an Epidural, and was hospital induced into labour since despite the waters breaking she never commenced contractions.
Our total costs on discharge today came to 73,173 PHP, which to be honest we are very happy with.

In all honesty, with the history of complications and this being a high risk pregnancy I would not have considered having the baby delivered at any other hospital in Cebu then Chong Hua. Earlier this year I took Marvie to see some senior doctors in the UK who made a detailed report on how the delivery should take place and what preparations should be in place and Chong Hua's findings thankfully concurred with all of this.

The procedures at the Chong Hua were very good, on arrival Marvie was given an examination, then once they decided she was definately in labour, they called the OB/GYN and I went to the admissions. Yes, I was required to pay a deposit of 10,000 PHP onto the account, this could be paid by cash or card.
A private room was organised for 1700 php per day and included a daybed and bedding for me to stay with her. We were provided with all the kits and equipment we would need immediately. I was informed at all stages, and was asked for permission before the Epidural was given (we had also discussed this prior). I also was invited in for the delivery of the baby at the final stages.
I can say that all of the Doctors we encountered (although they were the senior doctors), were excellent, spoke English at all times and we're very informative. Also, all of the doctors we encountered have been for training and seminars in the Europe and USA recently, and seemed aware of new procedures in these countries.

So, to be completely honest, I would recommend this hospital for high risk pregnancies, and would highly recommend it as your backup if ever some complications presented themselves should you be delivering your baby elsewhere. It is expensive, and you are paying for the facilities, equipment and availability of expertise.

I would say the hospital isn't as good as the hopsitals we used in Manila (St Lukes and Manila Doctors Hospital), and isn't quite the quality of an average UK state hospital. But for a city other then the capital in a 3rd World Country, it's pretty good.

I can't compare it against other hospitals in Cebu, as I haven't had a baby delivered in others, but have visited other hospitals on occasions whilst doing volounteer work and visiting family, and would choose Chong Hua over the ones I did visit.


Breakdown of Costs

Central Supply Room 651.30
Delivery Room 15,825.60
Laboratory 2,849.50
Nursery 926.16
Pharmacy 7,746.75 + 645.78
Room Accomodation 4900.00
Main OB/GYN 20,000
Secondary OB/GYN 4,800
Anaethetist 8,000
Pediatrician 7,500