Why Universal Healthcare in the Philippines Still Falls Short for Many Filipinos

Why do many Filipinos still avoid going to the hospital unless absolutely necessary? 🤔 From expensive treatments to overcrowded facilities and limited access in some areas, healthcare remains out of reach for many families despite years of reforms. A recent Ateneo Breakthroughs lecture takes a closer look at why universal healthcare in the Philippines still faces major gaps today.

For many Filipinos, getting sick often comes with another worry: how much it will cost.

That question was at the center of the latest Ateneo Breakthroughs lecture, where public health researcher and educator Veincent Christian F. Pepito discussed why universal healthcare in the Philippines continues to face major challenges despite years of reforms.

When the Universal Healthcare (UHC) Act became law in 2019, it aimed to improve healthcare access for all Filipinos. But years later, many patients still face long waiting times, high out-of-pocket expenses, limited healthcare services, and uneven access depending on where they live.

According to Pepito, one issue is that healthcare projects are often less visible compared to infrastructure programs such as roads, bridges, and flood control projects. Because of this, healthcare may receive less public and political attention despite its importance.

Drawing from interviews with health workers, patients, and government officials, Pepito said the country’s healthcare system continues to face gaps in coordination between national agencies and local governments. Limited budgets, shortages of healthcare workers in some areas, and weak digital systems also affect the delivery of healthcare services.

The lecture highlighted how these challenges make healthcare access difficult for many Filipinos, especially in underserved communities.

In his opening remarks, Filomeno Aguilar said a functioning healthcare system requires proper coordination, funding, staffing, and public trust to work effectively.

Despite the challenges, the discussion also pointed to areas where improvements are already being explored. These include strengthening primary care services, improving local healthcare leadership, and developing systems that allow patient records to move more efficiently across healthcare facilities.

Pepito emphasized that healthcare is not just about policies on paper. For many Filipinos, it directly affects their finances, daily lives, and ability to access treatment when needed.

As long as patients continue to delay treatment or struggle with medical expenses, the goal of universal healthcare remains a work in progress in the Philippines.

Watch Pepito’s full lecture at Ateneo Breakthroughs