By Anthony A. Araos
When they go to hospitals, chances are there are so many problems at hand especially in this difficult time of high cost of living. For most of them, problems include high cost of hospitalization and expensive medicines. Ensuring the health of himself or herself and dependents is the daily challenge.
For cash-starved folks in distant villages of Lagawe (and all other impoverished towns of Ifugao), there is only one option in these uncertain times. Do what you can do to avoid getting sick. Focus on the positive aspects of your life-if possible at all. But, that’s nearly impossible. Poverty incidence is surely more pronounced in rural areas. To be more precise, more so visibly felt in underserved villages in far-flung localities.
The influence of a free medical clinic in which doctors and nurses provide consultations and give to indigent villagers may have softened my indignation on the government’s failure to advance the people’s health concerns. The ultimate damage for their well-being is truly heavy and terrifying to say the least. For this is usually followed by continuing pillaging of people’s lives in generations to come.
Generally, positive developments are witnessed during these medical outreach missions as the clinics conducted recently at the villages of Burnay, Boliwong, Ponghal, Tungngod, Montabiong, Poblacion West and Poblacion South.
Immediate and swift attention to their needs and a shift in expectation by long-neglected folks had made the free medical clinic of Dr. Eileen Habawel, wife of Lagawe mayoralty candidate Atty. Denis Habawel, possible, the numerous folks took advantage of it. Indications are, however, that there were a significant number of poor, sick and needy villagers who need her services. Fact: seeing a doctor in their lifetime is still a dream to countless folks in economically-disadvantaged villages in Lagawe. The short sightedness of government policies on the health agenda emerges in distant villages and comes to full-bloom after visiting just a few barangays in recent days. Lagawe has 20 villages- most of them mired in high poverty incidence levels.
Dr. Habawel’s timeless undertaking is a symbol of hope that reflects her (and the former Ifugao governor) commitment to providing safe and effective care to the less fortunate. For his part, Atty. Habawel quipped “the commitment to make high quality health care accessible to Lagawe folks is a top priority. With the same vigor during my incumbency as governor, I shall tirelessly pursue this goal.” “I have done it, and will do it all over again.” The couple are both graduates of the University of the Philippines.
All told, free medical clinics are not conducted on a daily basis.
This is further aggravated by meager budgetary allocations for salaries of doctors and nurses in government-run hospitals. Small wonder, many of them are leaving the country in search of greener pasture. Even the honorarium/stipend of BNS, BHW and other barangay workers are awfully low. They often have to sacrifice their own money to perform their duties. Empathize with their plight as volunteers.
It is very clear that the public health care program is ailing. It is in crisis. These precarious times have made the government more cognizant of the need to capacitate and improve it. The order of the day is crystal clear: improve, develop and establish a genuine public health care program.
In Lagawe, improving the health capacity and delivery would largely enhance the health and well-being of all residents. They must have easy access to responsive health care systems even in remote barangays.
Health for All is doable and “getting there together” is possible, making it accessible for everyone if the top leadership is competent, committed and caring.
No one, most especially poverty-stricken folks, should ever be denied treatment due to lack of financial resources.
Each one has the right to have same quality of care, the same right to a good quality health care. We only have a few weeks to the May 12, 2025 midterm elections. Listen well to the voices of the candidates. Vote for those who support this agenda: The poor should have equal access to quality and inclusive health care because it is a human right. Vote for one who truly cares to serve for the vast majority of the people and not for those who are after enriching their own pockets. Your vote is significant, at stake is your future!**
