So, I am quite surprised that the DOH reported a confirmed case of an infection caused by the a(H1N1) influenza virus. A 10-year-old girl who came from the US with her parents and just got back to the country. The thermal scanner, they say, did not detect her. Of course, it only works if the patient had the disease (symptom: fever). The patient came in the "window" period. There is an infection but not enough to actually cause the disease. One day after, the girl had the disease, and bam! Philippines is not safe anymore. At least, not to those who can not afford the costly Tamiflu.

Next part: my rantings. I hate the fact that I postponed my vacation because of that friggin' pandemic. It is better to be safe. And I am quite proud of the Philippines, that even if we have this abysmal health system, we are quite safe from it.

I hate the fact that the only way we can get the virus is through a random person who has the money to go out of the country, catch the disease somewhere else, and come back with a pasalubong - a(H1N1).

And how much a tablet of Tamiflu costs? Php 150+! A half-day worth of a minimum wage earner in the country! There is no generic drug available. Only those who can afford to buy that drug are safe. The rest, the majority, is vulnerable. In fact, much vulnerable. They aren't well-nourished; their hygiene and sanitation, depressing; knowledge regarding the disease, poor; their access to health care, severed.

So there. When we see a few deaths in developed countries like in the US and in countries in Europe and Australia. We can observe fatalities in developing countries like Mexico. The question is this: Is the Philippines ready for this?

I can just only hope.


Still, I am advocating for the Universal Health Care in the country. And more equitable financial schemes in health insurance, i.e. PhilHealth.

I want to live in the future that the majority, if not all, has an access to efficient and quality health services, to cheaper drugs, to qualified and trained health professionals, to more effective information and public health system.

Just let me know if you are interested in this advocacy. Again, the youth is one of the biggest sector in this society. And we should know better!