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Priority Areas

The priority areas in the scope of Global Surgery in the Philippines can be summarized into accessibility, quality, and sustainability.

Accessibility and Quality

Efforts to improve the accessibility of healthcare in the Philippines have been largely focused on primary healthcare. However, it is undeniable that access to quality surgery and surgical care also needs to be placed as a fundamental priority. Addressing the accessibility and quality of surgery and surgical care in the Philippines must take on a multi-pronged and systemic solution that acknowledges the interplay of key members of society.

To be more specific, the target areas that need to be addressed in order to improve accessibility and quality in Global Surgery include:

Education

Inclusive education—targeting students, providers, and the public—is key to improving surgical care. Empowered patients make informed decisions, while training adapted to low-resource settings ensures providers deliver equitable, high-quality care.

Culture, Behavior, and Society

Surgery in the Philippines is clouded by deep-rooted stereotypes that limit access to quality care. While systemic change is needed, immediate efforts must challenge harmful narratives and rigid hierarchies in medical institutions to improve surgical outcomes and accessibility.

Cost

Despite the 2019 Universal Health Care Act, financial barriers still limit access to care, especially for surgery. To prevent catastrophic health spending, solutions must consider the needs of resource-poor communities across the country.

Manpower

The challenge isn’t just the shortage of healthcare workers, but their uneven distribution—a major barrier in a geographically fragmented country like the Philippines. Ensuring safe and supportive working conditions is also essential to retain and empower the health workforce.

Geographical Barriers

The Philippines’ challenging terrain and widespread geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) hinder healthcare delivery. Making surgery accessible in these regions is essential to achieving true health equity.

Sustainability

Effective advocacy for global surgery requires foresight and sustainability, moving beyond short-term fixes. Interprofessional and multi-sectoral collaboration is essential to address the systemic healthcare challenges in the Philippines.

Meaningful youth participation, supported by skilled mentorship, ensures the continuity of this advocacy. Consistent investment in young leaders, alongside collaboration across sectors, broadens impact and innovation.

An evidence-based approach—starting with baseline data collection and ongoing research—is crucial to guide priorities and strengthen the movement.

Engaging stakeholders at all levels fosters open communication and political will, driving progress toward safe and equitable surgical care nationwide.

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