The nutrition component of the health services delivery system in the Philippines

The Philippines as an independent nation saw great strides in all phases of progress. Advances in the economic, political, cultural, and social life of the Filipino people have been steadfastly growing from the ruins of the last World War. But deeply involved in this gigantic task of nation building are manifold problems that have to be solved. Foremost among these are medical and health problems. Readily accessible medical care remains outside the experience of still millions of the nation's urban and most especially the rural poor. And the few who are not poor find health care excessively costly. The enormous needs for better health care have become as manifest as the heightened expectation of all or most people, that these needs will be met. Society or the government cannot simply sit idly by while health problems develop. It cannot complacently watch the occurrence of malnutrition, illness, or death, and do nothing about them. The full recognition that the country's socioeconomic development and progress is threatened by the prevalence of malnutrition precipitates the involvement of a long-range Philippine Nutrition Program. It is the purpose of this paper to help suggest the reorganization of the present delivery system of nutrition services from “the disease and emergency room routine" to one of comprehensive health promotion and planned preventive care services. Demonstration of the “team” approach in program implementation and operational procedures for multidisciplinary involvement are laid down. Through a vigorous implementation of the projects and activities, and through health care legislation, it is hoped that the general objectives of the Philippine Nutrition Program will ultimately be realized.