Senior citizens received good news last week. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released ₱42.93 billion to cover the payment of their health insurance premiums for 2023. Sourced from proceeds of the sin tax law, the allotment benefits over 8.5 million senior citizens enrolled in the national health insurance program of PhilHealth.
But the assurance of funding for the elderly’s health care needs is only part of the equation. What needs to be ascertained is that senior citizens are able to maintain good health and are shielded from their vulnerability to diseases associated with ageing.
Senior citizens constitute roughly 11.31 percent of the country’s population. According to a study on Ageing and Health in the Philippines by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, “the formal pillars of support, such as short- and long-term healthcare, and pension systems are still under development.” It is not surprising, therefore, that official government response is short-term oriented, such as the latest DBM announcement on responding to this year’s funding requirements.
According to a United Nations study, “elderly people were at a significantly higher risk of mortality and severe diseases following infection; and senior citizens are more likely to have underlying, long-term health problems.” It is imperative that the government adopt a more holistic approach to the health care needs of ageing citizens.
During the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) reported that it disproportionately affected the older Filipinos; moreover, 50.7 percent of the confirmed deaths were aged 65 and older.
A visit to the Department of Health website contains entries on a Healthy and Productive Ageing Program that “primarily aims to promote quality life among older persons and contribute to nation building through providing equitable access to quality healthcare.” Evidently, senior citizens are more vulnerable to getting ill or dying from disease.
Yet there is little information on concrete health care programs, only links to copies of existing laws on universal health care and on the selling of medicines with 20 percent senior citizens discount. Listed under Types of Services are two items, namely: Geriatric Training for Primary Service Providers and Pre-Retirement Orientation and Training. These programs are for enabling service providers that cater to senior citizens’ needs; these do not directly provide vital health care services.
With the winding-down of Covid-19 related programs, the public expects the DOH to expand its assistance to senior citizens who need to be supported with responsive health maintenance and health care services.
Echoing President Marcos’ directive on the latest release of funds, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said: “This government must ensure that our senior citizens have the support and resources they need to thrive. Our elderly will always remain vital members of our society who have spent many of their productive years not only in improving the lives of their family members but also in contributing to their communities.”
