CHN NCM 2107b: Primary Health Care Services in the Philippines

Access to proper health care is one of the basic rights possessed by a citizen in the
Philippines. Foreign countrymen who’ve perceived this country as one of those in line with the
rise of progress, have not seen the conditions of the urban poor lying behind the shadows of
these tall buildings. Our country is composed of low income families; with poverty ruling at the
top of the majority. Here, poverty anchors the consequences of other societal problems; one of
these is lack of access to proper healthcare. Hence, this is where the Primary health care
services of the Philippines will take its spot.
Primary health care services have become the one call away for help from the
community. Community that includes organizations, willing to be taught and apply these
learnings back to their homes. It is also the job of the members of this health care services to
train people, provide medical services, and awareness in regards to their health and concerns of
the community as a whole. In which health literacy to the community is what is being prioritized.
As they've said “Prevention is better than cure”, where the author of this paper totally
agrees. Education keeps people in the society healthy. Hence, prevention is the vital factor to
the maintenance of the health of an individual, family, and the community; the most affordable
way to face the risk of diseases.
To be able to serve the community is also understanding their own beliefs. The video
shows a foreigner also taking part in community service. It is explained that if a western person
conducts with personal approach to the community, they may not have understood the
homeopathy or the alternative medicines done in a certain community. Hence, it is important
that people who render service have the idea of “ I believe it, I respect it, though I don't
understand it”. To serve a community is also knowing their cultures in order to understand their
health behaviors. Hence, respect is much more needed to also understand their ways of
healing. Whereas ideas of homeopathy are starting to be accepted which will become beneficial
in near future in lessening the cost of health care.
With the video being presented in the Canvas, the author of this reflection concludes that
to be able to serve the underprivileged requires a heart who is willing to help and sacrifice for
themselves. Knowing the community the Philippines have, to serve doesn’t come after money
but the fulfillment of creating a difference to the lives of people you render care into. Yet, support
to these services is much needed; the only aspect that is still lacking in this area. Having a good
heart is an abuse of one's kindness. Therefore, the author of this reflection hopes that one day
improvements in these facilities may come to life. In this way, we will be able to render much
better care through this stabilized system of primary health care; our one call away health
service!