Cuban health care system awes Pinoys

If she had her way, Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial would follow the Cuban health system, particularly its doctor/health workers to population ratio.

“We want to get doctor/health worker to population ratios up. Human resource investments are Cuba’s strength,” said Ubial, who led a Philippine delegation’s study visit to Cuba last week.

Ubial and other Department of Health (DOH) officials visited health care and training institutions in Cuba and had a chance to meet with their local counterparts.

Ubial, who was impressed by the Cuban health system, said it would be a big help if the Philippines could achieve the ratio of one (doctor) for every 1,075 (population) situation as in Cuba.

Ubial, however, admitted the present ratio of doctor to patient population in the country was 1:33,000.

Big help

“If we can reach even just a 1:12,000 ratio, it would be a big help already. We need to triple the number of doctors in the rural areas or primary clinics,” Ubial said.

Asked how the DOH intended to attain such a goal, the health chief said they would need the full support of local government units (LGUs).

“Since our health system is devolved, we have to work with the LGUs to achieve this,” she said.

She said the DOH wants to achieve a better working relationship with its Cuban counterparts.

“We hope that our country will benefit from the Cuban medical cooperation in attaining All for Health towards Health for All!” said Ubial.

Among the fields where the DOH hopes to partner with Cuba are in the introduction of new technologies, such as the development of organ and tissue transplants, complete surgeries and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and the preparation and response to emergency situations.