A recent study conducted by Capstone-Intel Corporation unveiled that merely about 40 percent of Filipinos adhere to their recommended annual physical checkups. Initially, my reaction leaned towards critiquing the perceived irresponsibility among Filipinos and advocating for the importance of prioritizing these checkups.
However, upon deeper contemplation, I came to recognize that the remaining percentage isn’t entirely unreasonable. In fact, I find myself part of this demographic as well. This prompted me to delve into the underlying reasons why consistently attending medical appointments seems daunting, leading to an examination of the healthcare landscape in the Philippines.
It’s essential to acknowledge that my perspective is influenced by the broader context of the demographics I inhabit. As someone in a relatively privileged position, my views likely reflect those of others facing even greater challenges.
Personally, the lack of urgency to visit clinics for checkups stems from the perception that if there are no noticeable symptoms or illnesses, it may not be worth the expense. Consultations with doctors can be prohibitively costly, and the outcome often feels inconclusive if the doctor simply confirms that everything is fine, which seems redundant to the individual’s initial assessment.
Moreover, there exists a prevailing mindset that illnesses can be managed through rest and hydration, rather than resorting to costly medications or procedures prescribed by doctors.
It’s crucial to emphasize the preventive nature of annual checkups. However, greater emphasis on accessibility to medical care is needed to motivate more individuals to prioritize preventive healthcare.
Ultimately, while individuals bear some responsibility for their health decisions, it’s equally important to address systemic issues of inaccessibility rather than blaming individuals who are victimized by the current healthcare system. By tackling these issues at the root, we can hope to see an increase in the percentage of people seeking annual checkups over time.
The insights provided are drawn from the findings of the survey conducted by Capstone-Intel Corporation.
