Klaus Doring

Every time somebody in our surroundings is getting sick we are worried. Worried, of course, that the illness is not too serious and/or might be cured as soon as possible. The other fact is: Does the patient have enough cash to shoulder all expenses to be cured well?

I met a lot of expats, who came here to the Philippines, but they didn’t even think about it. “I will not become sick!” … .This indifference, coolness or nonchalance makes me speechless.

Last month it has been reported, that the increasing number of people with non-communicable diseases is really alarming. Dra. Anabelle Yuman, Regional Coordinator for Non-communicable Diseases of the Department of Health (Region XI Mindanao) attributed this i.e. to the wrong medication intake of affected persons. She said once the person has contracted with non-communicable disease the medication will be for a life time. Unlike the person is contracted with a disease that is communicable after taking the prescribed drugs like antibiotic the medication stops, she said.

Treating NCD is more expensive and will be forever, she stressed.

In Davao City the number one killer last year was cardio-vascular disease. Diabetes doesn’t fall within the top ten, but the number of cases is increasing dramatically.  Yuman also said, that only a few people are excersising enough. 30 minutes  per day should be a must. Diet must also be heavy on fruits.

Anyway, if the sickness is there and need to be treated seriously, enough cash or savings are needed. Have you think already about it? You got a good health insurance in your home country. I wonder, why so many ex pats don’t care about it any more while living in the Philippines…

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