Philippines Health and Medical: Health Care System
Adequate medical care is available in major cities in the Philippines. The country has a reasonably high density of medical practitioners. However, medical care is relatively underfunded. Visitors from Western Europe, the US, or Canada may find that even the best hospitals do not meet the standards of medical care, sanitation, and facilities provided by hospitals and doctors at home. Even generic medicines are often unavailable. In rural and more remote areas, medical care is limited.
Most hospitals will require a down payment of estimated fees in cash at the time of admission. In some cases, public and private hospitals have withheld lifesaving medicines and treatments for non-payment of bills. Hospitals also frequently refuse to discharge patients or release important medical documents until the bill has been paid in full. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to a traveler’s home country can cost several or even tens of thousands of US dollars.
Locating a Doctor
Embassies and consulates generally maintain lists of physicians, dentists, and medical facilities for the benefit of travelers. Also, the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT) maintains a database of fully licensed, English-speaking doctors around the world. Office visits are available to IAMAT members at fixed rates advertised on the website, www.iamat.org.
Sources: US Department of State; World Health Organization
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