Philippine Agenda: Health

On Philippine Agenda this Sunday, multi-awarded broadcaster, Arnold Clavio examines the problem that millions of Filipinos complain about: Health. Philippine Agenda discovers one town in Maguindanao whose residents have never seen a doctor. Thus, simple sickness like scabies becomes fatal for children. The nearest health center is four hours away by foot. And even if they decide to go there, they will only get paracetamols and vitamins good for ten people! The program also witnessed the last few days of one TB patient, Lydia Marcos. Before her last breath, she mustered the strength to gripe about her empty stomach and her problems about the high prices of medicines. Until the end, she was not able to buy the medicines that was supposed to save her life. Arnold Clavio also personally probed into the miserable situation of some hospitals, specifically in Bacolod and Metro Manila. In Bacolod, he observed that patients have to bring their own cushions or mats and lie down on the cold floor because hospital beds and rooms are already full. This episode is definitely an eye opener on the deteriorationg health condition and health system in the country. What is the bottom of these problems and what answers should we expect from incumbent and incoming government officials? Don't miss Philippine Agenda: Health this Sunday, April 1, 2007 at 7 p.m. on GMA.