My Encounter with the Filipino Medical System

For the last half-dozen years, I’ve battled recurring ear infections, unwelcome little visitors that know my address too well. The last time one showed up, about eight months ago, it brought along something extra: what is essentially athlete’s foot (a fungal infection) in my left ear. 

Welp, it appears that same fungal squatter has returned, setting up house in my left ear a few days ago. I had no choice but to seek out professional help, not something I wished to do while vacationing in a foreign land.

The Filipino health system is not like ours. It largely operates on a cash basis, a kind of pay-as-you-go arrangement where, in the case of more serious medical issues, the burden is often shared across an entire family.

Access, however, depends on where you are. Venture out into the provinces, and finding a doctor or meaningful care can become difficult, sometimes even unlikely. But here in Metro Manila, help is close at hand. In my case, it was as simple as dropping by a clinic tucked inside the mall at Market! Market!, alongside a game arcade and fast-food eateries.

The visit itself required about a half-hour wait and cost 1,000 pesos, roughly $16.66.

The prescription, which included an antibiotic, a painkiller, and anti-itch medication, came to 1,530.50 pesos, or about $25.50.

All told, the experience was efficient, accessible, and surprisingly affordable. I’m going to say that, in this instance, I’m deeply impressed.

My Filipino Prescriptions

—Mitchell Hegman