OCTA: Health is top personal concern of Filipinos

Staying healthy and avoiding illnesses is not just a medical concern, but it also encompasses other concerns, OCTA Research said. 

The latest Tugon ng Masa survey conducted by the polling and research firm showed that while wages are the top national concern, health is the top urgent personal concern of adult Filipinos, at 65%.

Rounding out the top five urgent personal concerns are:

• To finish schooling or to be able to provide schooling for our children - 45%
• At least be able to have enough to eat every day - 44%
• To have a secure and well-paying job or source of income - 39%
• To avoid being a victim of any serious crime - 38%

In Sandra Aguinaldo’s report in “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, some families of patients have to spend on medicines and other necessities despite free hospitalizations. 

Mike Ramo’s diabetic father has been confined in the hospital for two months after undergoing surgery. Although they don’t have to pay any hospital bills, their expenses have reached P5,000 every week. 

“Yung gastos ng family namin kagaya sa pagkain namin, kapag bumibili ng ibang gamot ni papa like yung sa dugo,” he said. 

(Our family's expenses include things like our food, and when we have to buy other medicines for my father, like the ones for his blood.) 

Meanwhile, Mary Jane Carpio’s sister-in-law is confined in the hospital for free due to Stage 4 cancer. But other expenses like medicines and blood transfusions is a different matter, as they have to turn to politicians to seek help. 

“Wala kaming nakuhang financial [help], tatawagan daw kami, pero hanggang ngayon wala,” she said. 

(We haven't received any financial [help], they said they would call us, but until now, we've heard nothing.) 

OCTA Research said that it's important to make medical services accessible to everyone. 

“Ang hangarin na iwasan ang pagkakasakit ay hindi usaping medikal lang. May kinalaman ito sa gastos sa gamutan, access sa serbisyong pangkalusugan at araw-araw na seguridad ng pamilya. Consistent ito sa nagdaang survey kaya hindi ito panandaliang takot kundi pang matagalan na alalahanin,” said OCTA Research president Ranjit Rye. 

(The desire to avoid getting sick is not just a medical issue. It is connected to the cost of treatment, access to healthcare services, and the daily security of the family. This is consistent with previous surveys, which shows it isn't just a fleeting fear but a long-term concern.) 

For its part, the Department of Health welcomed the survey results. 

“Nung nalaman nila na sa utos ng Pangulo ay libre na ang kanilang pagpapagamot sa basic accomodation ng DOH hospitals, aba’y tumaas ‘yung bilang ng nagpapakonsulta,” said DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo. 

(When they learned that, by order of the President, treatment is now free in the basic accommodation of DOH hospitals, the number of people seeking consultations actually increased.) 

Wages 

The fourth quarter survey of OCTA Research also showed that improving or increasing wages or salaries of workers is the top issue that the government must address with 45%. 

Tristan Dela Cruz said that he has to make ends meet as a driver as his three children all go to school. 

“Yung pababain yung mga bilihin, number one na ‘yan sa mga gastusin regarding sa mga pagkain. Mahirap sa mahirap kasi hindi ganun kalaki ang sinasahod ng bawat padre de pamilya,” he said. 

(Lowering the price of goods, that’s the number one priority regarding food expenses. It’s really difficult because the salary each head of the family earns isn't that large.) 

The other national concerns of Filipinos also include controlling the increase in prices of basic goods (41%); access to affordable food like rice, vegetable, and meat (30%); fighting graft and corruption in government (29%); and providing free quality education (28%). 

“This constitutes the same top five that we saw noong third quarter, ang ini-indicate nito pati sa second quarter…ini-indicate nito may stability in household core concerns. Clear na dapat may response po ang government to these issues,” said Rye. 

(This constitutes the same top five that we saw during the third quarter; what this indicates—including the second quarter—is that there is stability in household core concerns. It’s clear that the government must have a response to these issues.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News