A Senate bill is now on second and third reading which if approved will establish a Philippine Geriatric Center. This hospital will cater exclusively to senior citizens, and it could not be more timely as there were 9.24 million citizens aged 65 and over in 2020 or 8.5 percent of the population. It is predicted that the proportion of senior citizens will make up 20 percent of the population in 30 years’ time. This is a demographic transition that is termed as a demographic winter.

Certainly, a hospital for senior citizens is a welcome development as even now, our government hospitals are straining to provide medical care for the entire population. Elderly citizens tend to have more co-morbidities that will require more complex and expensive medical care. Geriatric medicine, as a subspecialty, is going to be more in demand as the population ages rapidly.

But the more important question is the financing of health care for these elders, since they will be mostly retired and may not have saved enough for their retirement, much less for health care. Hopefully, we will have a hundred percent coverage for medical expenses for all, which at the current rate, may not be feasible for a while.

Another question is: Can this specialty hospital accommodate many more patients that other government hospitals can’t admit? Will there be long lines like we see in other government hospitals? It will not be possible for all sick seniors to be catered to considering the large numbers. Even if just one percent of the 9.24 million get sick and need to be admitted, that will be 92,400 patients. As it is now, 60 percent of Filipinos die without seeing a doctor.

So, is it still practical to spend hundreds of millions of pesos to put up a hospital that will serve a few hundred patients at a time? With seniors, chronic illnesses are common and one may be admitted for weeks or months. This will reduce available beds for more incoming patients.

Won’t it be better if we strengthen our primary care facilities and offer preventive care instead? Let us keep the people healthier with regular checkups, offer mass screening for lifestyle diseases like hypertension and diabetes mellitus, early detection of cancers, vaccinations, osteoporosis and sexually transmitted diseases.

For those diagnosed early with hypertension, intervention with medication and reduced salt intake can forestall development of complications such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. Those who are diabetic can also be managed with diet and drug intervention.

Breast cancer is the number one killer of women. Early detection with breast self-examination, breast ultrasound or mammograms can lead to cure with surgery. We still see many advanced breast cancers with large tumors that often ulcerate the skin presenting a ghastly sight because women don’t want to consult doctors due to “hiya.” Treating advanced cancer is very expensive and also leads to more complications.

Vaccination against common infectious diseases like flu, hepatitis B and others will reduce the number of sick persons trying to compete with each other for the chance to be seen by a health provider.

Osteoporosis leads to bone fractures that may need major surgery and implants which are expensive. Preventive care with daily exercise including weights and daily intake of calcium supplements prevent progression of bone demineralization.

Preventing STDs require monogamous relationships, use of prophylactics and if in doubt, screening tests. HIV is running rampant in the country which will further strain the health system.

We do have an overwhelmed health system now which is reaching crisis proportions. It is incumbent on each person to ensure his/her own health by adopting a healthy lifestyle, eating sensibly, going for health checkups, exercising and avoiding smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep each day also helps keep the body healthy.

If enough seniors can stay healthy for longer, we should not be seeing long lines for consultation at hospitals and health centers. Our quality of life will be better and we can even work even part time if we so decide. Those who have hypertension and diabetes need to take their medications for life. Skipping medications because you don’t feel anything is very common and will lead to disaster.

Obesity is hitting epidemic proportions among all ages, fueled by excessive food intake, especially of carbohydrates. If you carry excess weight, it will strain your heart, liver and kidneys leading to many complications. It is better to reduce your weight the natural way than going for surgery and other quick-fix procedures.

It is up to each one of us to choose our paths. As they say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” with less of the side effects and complications of drugs and medical intervention, geriatric hospital or not.