Health in the Philippines

The Filipino families I know have experienced a variety of illnesses including recurrent pulmonary infections, malnutrition, anemia and vitamin deficiencies. It is no coincidence that these are cited in the Encyclopedia of the Nations' entry, Philippines - Health:

Pulmonary infections (tuberculosis, pneumonia, bronchitis) are prevalent. Malnutrition remains a health problem despite government assistance in the form of Nutripaks (consisting of indigenous foods such as mung beans and powdered shrimp) that are made available for infants, children, and pregnant women. In 2000, 32% of children under five years old were considered malnourished. Protein malnutrition, anemia, and vitamin A and iodine deficiencies are commonly found in children. The goiter rate was 6.9 per 100. Heart disease is the third most common cause of death in the Philippines.

Sick children, debts and bankruptcy

Tina (11:59:17): Gud a.m. Bern, I [have] been compromised for Helen tomorrow coz 3,000 I borrow[ed], & till now Reorence don't have take home antibiotic. I don't have any money.

Bern (12:03:21): So sorry to hear [that you don't have money]. But I took care to ask you [the] TOTAL amount needed. I have financial problems too.

Tina (12:03:25): Little Bern also have a fever since yesterday. Good news [about] Ken & Kert - their fever [is] gone.

Bern (12:05:45): Glad to hear Ken & Kert's fever [is] gone at last. WHY are Filipino children so very often having fevers? Malnutrition? Why so much infection?

Bern (12:10:54): I told you years ago, [a] counselor with long experience warned [that in her experience] Australian men who married Filipinas [were] usually left heartbroken & BANKRUPT. It's coming true for me too.

Tina (12:18:33): You know Bern, Helen['s] business was buy[ing and] selling of fruits, she buy[s] fruits like lanzones in Laguna [province] & travel[s] it to Manila, she need[s] her money tomorrow to [be] used as capital.

Tina (12:18:39): Da money she gave me don't have interest, dat [is] why I'm very shy to her.

Bern (12:21:03): This is getting too much for me. I need time to think about [the] situation. Thanks for [the] e-mails just rec'd. Must repay some to bank before I do anything. I have little money.

Life of little girl saved

E-mail from Tina sent on 13 October 2006 at 16:40, GMT+8
Hello Bern and Alice,



1. This is the picture of Kaila when she was in the hospital with her mother Julie (a single mother, now working as a maid in Lucena).


2. The other picture of Kaila [shows her] standing in sand, near the boat, 1 day after she return in Burgos, Quezon.

3. The other one was the family of Ross, when we're been there [at his house in Manila], with Lito, Jovs, and little Bernadeth, when the time they [(Lito and Jovs) were] applying [for employment as security guards] in Tamaraw agency.

4. The picture of [Quezon Medical Center] hospital in Lucena city, where Kaila Mae [was] confined.

You know Bern, you save the life of the child, Kaila Mae, when she was in the hospital, that why don't regrets to the money you been send in the Philippines, coz you're like an angel to [this] family, specially to Kaila.

Thank you very much,

[Tina].