Epidemic Investigations of Enteric and Dengue Fever in an Urban Resettlement Area in Dasmariñas, Cavite II. Dengue Studies
An epidemic of typhoid fever occurred in the Bagong Bayan resettlement area in Dasmarinas, Cavite in November 1984 to April 1985. Investigators initially suspected a simultaneous outbreak of dengue fever because several persons were hospitalized with dengue infection 3 months earlier. Of 44 specimens tested only 1 had high IgM ELISA titers indicative of recent dengue infection. The rest of the data did not provide sufficient evidence to conclude that a concurrent dengue outbreak was occurring. However, high IgG ELISA titers in the same specimens confirmed past clinical observations that dengue fever is endemic in the area.
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Health workforce issues and recommended practices in the implementation of Universal Health Coverage in the Philippines: a qualitative study.
The Philippines' Universal Health Coverage program faces a critical workforce crisis that threatens its very foundation. A new Ateneo de Manila University study reveals that while the country exports healthcare workers globally, it struggles to retain the professionals needed for its own ambitious health reforms. With only 7.92 physicians per 10,000 population and a shortage of 127,000 nurses, systemic barriers—from restrictive hiring policies to uncompetitive salaries—are driving away the very people meant to deliver healthcare for all Filipinos. The research identifies promising solutions, including scholarship programs and comprehensive benefits, but warns that without addressing these fundamental workforce issues, universal healthcare remains at risk.
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Measuring and Understanding Geographic Inequities in Physician Distribution in the Philippines
Access to quality health care in the Philippines is shaped not only by the availability of physicians, but also by how equitably they are distributed across regions. Many communities, particularly in rural and geographically isolated areas, continue to face limited access to medical professionals, while urban centers often see a concentration of physicians and specialists. The project Measuring and Understanding Geographic Inequities in Physician Distribution in the Philippines seeks to address this challenge by providing a clear, evidence-based picture of physician maldistribution nationwide.