I’m sorry to read about your father in law. You may not wish to say which hospital he is in, or what is wrong with him, if indeed a diagnosis has been made.

I’m also sorry that you see ( the hospital as ) a money-making factory.


The vast majority of healthcare workers – doctors, dentists, nurses, and others – are dedicated, and work hard, wherever they may be. All aspects of good health care are based on evidence, not opinions. There are systems to prevent unnecessary or unproven tests and treatment - because they all require payment, directly or indirectly. As in any walk of life, there may be corruption, with “ rogue “ healthcare workers – but preventing and treating illness is not, and can never be, purely a " money-making factory " .


Health care in the Philippines does – overall – compare unfavourably with that in the UK. However, it varies from high class, equivalent to the UK, to non-existent in many rural municipalities. There are relatively far fewer doctors in the Philippines, who can earn far more abroad, and more than half of Filipinos who fall ill die without ever seeing a doctor. Life expectancy, with other measures of health, is indeed less - by about a decade. Much of health spending is still “ out of pocket “ ( if it can be afforded ), although insurance schemes ( like PhilHealth ) do provide limited cover.


This is not to say authorities are doing nothing about the situation. Resources are, however, limited by “ Western “ standards. Health expenditure in the Philippines is a smaller proportion of GDP ( itself less ) than in UK. Passing the Reproductive Health Bill would be a massive step in the right direction. Improving health workers' pay would be another.


Universal health coverage, with less “ out of pocket “ spending, is recognised to be the ideal in the Philippines, as elsewhere, but is an aim which has yet to be achieved.


Most countries seek to collect and manage funding of health care through “ risk pooling “, so that the ( unpredictable ) costs of illness do not need to be met by that person alone. Paying out of pocket is still, sadly, dominant worldwide – but many countries are moving towards universal health coverage. The Philippines aims to do this through taxation, subsidies for target populations, and collecting “ voluntary premiums “ from households.


The UK NHS will continue to be largely funded through taxation and be “ free at the point of use “. Expensive reforms in England, due to take place this year, will make little obvious difference to patients. It is imperfect, varies from one area to another, and faces austerity in the next decade. “ Lifestyle choices “ – such as smoking, eating, drinking alcohol, and exercise - obviously contribute much to its cost, but the principal remains that treatment is by and large freely available ( whatever the true cost, or provider ).


The cost to the UK public for dental treatment is the result of a contract imposed by the Government on dentists, whereby they can in many cases only provide good treatment privately – what they do is still evidence-based.


Most visitors to the Philippines from the UK – and elsewhere – have no serious health problems. Comprehensive insurance – only valid if relevant precautions such as vaccinations and medications are taken – is obviously vital. The same applies if living in the Philippines. Adequate insurance would cover repatriation to the UK if necessary.


These topics have had more detailed coverage in the Health Section of the forum. I’m sure all members would wish the best for your father in law, and also Marco's father-in-law.