DOH wants to narrow ratio gap between doctor and patient population

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MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday expressed interest in emulating the ratio of doctor/healthworkers to population ratio of the health system of Cuba.

“Human Resource investments are Cuba’s strength,” said DOH Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial.

Ubial, who was impressed with the health system of Cuba, said that it would be a big help already if our country could achieve the ratio of 1 (doctor): 1,075 (population) situation in Cuba.

Ubial however admitted, that at present the ratio of doctors to patient population in the country is 1:33,000

“Given that very wide disparity, she added that achieving even just 1:12,000 ratio would be a big help already. We need to triple the number of doctors in the rural areas or primary clinics,” said Ubial.

“We need to triple the number of doctors in the rural areas or primary clinics,” she said.

She said that in order to attain that objective, there was a need to get the full support of local government units (LGUs).

She said cooperation of the LGUs was highly important because of the reality that the health system in the country was devolved.

“We have to work with the LGUs to achieve this,” the Health Chief said.

She also said that computation of budget allocation for that would still need to be worked out as they tried to find means to achieve the target.

Last Aug. 23 to 26, Ubial led the Philippine delegation in its special study visit to Cuba.

This was arranged by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte who openly stated that he was impressed with the Cuban Health System.

The team visited health care and training institutions while in Cuba and met with their Cuban counterparts.