Independent health reform advocate Dr. Tony Leachon on Thursday, Dec. 11, warned that PhilHealth’s weakening capacity, driven by major funding decisions in recent years, is leaving more Filipino families vulnerable to medical debt, citing a new Boston Consulting Group (BCG) study showing that...
The Philippines continues to grapple with long-standing challenges in respiratory health—from the persistent burden of asthma and COPD to the growing threats posed by air pollution, infectious diseases, and limited access to advanced pulmonary care. Lung health in the Philippines remains a...
A majority of Filipino families cannot afford even modest medical expenses without going into debt, a new study released by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) showed. In its nationwide study The Filipino Family, BCG found that 64 percent of households would be unable to pay a P10,000 hospital bill...
The holiday season is not always merry. It is also the season when cases of Christmas coronary artery disease and unhappy New Year heart attacks happen. There are several factors that could precipitate heart attacks, and they are all lifestyle-related. Overindulgence in the consumption of fatty...
There’s a question I hear almost daily in my clinic, “Doc, is there anything that can tighten my skin without surgery?” It used to be a complicated answer. Now, I’m genuinely excited to talk about something new. For years, we’ve had tools like Ultherapy and Thermage. Both good options, no...
Earlier this month, on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, 2025, scientists published a paper in the journal “Nature” detailing the seventh case of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cure. While HIV is currently treatable with potent antiretrovirals (ARVs), which enable people with HIV to live long lives...
The Supreme Court’s ruling ordering the government to return the P60-billion funds from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) only confirms that the law leaves no room for diversion, Sen. Pia Cayetano said. Cayetano pointed this out as she reiterated her belief PhilHealth funds must...
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has warned the fireworks industry that unsafe practices in production and handling will not be tolerated and urged strict compliance with safety rules amid the year-end surge in activity. DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the agency is...
Healthway Medical Network (HMN), the healthcare unit of Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. (AC Health), launched the Healthway Cebu Velez General Hospital (HCVGH) following months of upgrading the recently acquired Cebu Velez General Hospital. AC Health said the launch marks a major milestone in its...
You cannot separate how a person looks from how they feel. The two are intertwined in ways we’re only now beginning to truly understand—and finally, to treat. This was the resounding message at the recent BTL Regional Summit & Award Gala 2025, held in the sun-drenched shores of Phu Quoc,...
Whatever your status in life, health is not something that can be compromised. Oftentimes, we put our health needs at the bottom of our list in favor of practicality and seemingly more important things for the people we love or the people we are responsible for. Until one day, we find ourselves...
During the recently concluded Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Annual Convention last Nov. 18-20, 2025, I was asked to engage in a friendly debate with colleagues. The issue was whether post-exposure prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) using...
