Health Workers: The heart of health
Every year, the first week of April marks World Health Worker Week, a global tribute to the dedicated professionals who form the backbone of healthcare systems. This year’s theme, “Health Workers: The Heart of Health,” underscores the indispensable role of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, epidemiologists, community health workers, laboratory technicians, and related professions who safeguard public health.
This week also serves as a rallying cry for increased investment in human resources for health, emphasizing the need for sustained leadership and long-term support to strengthen healthcare systems and advance development goals.
THE FIGHT AGAINST NCDS: A COLLECTIVE EFFORTNoncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes remain among the leading causes of death in the Philippines, accounting for 47% of deaths between January and August 2024. These chronic illnesses not only devastate families but also strain the economy, costing the country P756.5 billion annually in direct and indirect expenses, according to a WHO-UNDP (World Health Organization and United Nations Development Programme) report.
Healthcare professionals are at the forefront of this battle. From health education to early detection, they work tirelessly to prevent and manage NCDs. Community health workers and barangay health workers play a pivotal role, conducting house-to-house visits, promoting health checkups, and encouraging healthy behaviors in underserved areas. These grassroots efforts are crucial in bridging the gap between communities and accessible healthcare.
ADDRESSING RISK FACTORSNCDs, often associated with lifestyle factors, affect people of all ages. Risk factors such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption contribute to conditions like high blood pressure, obesity, and elevated blood glucose levels, which can lead to life-threatening complications.
To mitigate these risks, the WHO advocates for a multi-sectoral approach involving health, finance, education, agriculture, and other sectors. Simple yet impactful interventions, like promoting healthy eating, increasing physical activity, and reducing harmful substance use, can yield significant benefits. For every peso invested in NCD prevention, the return ranges from P7 to P29.9, highlighting the economic wisdom of proactive healthcare strategies.
INVESTING IN BETTER HEALTHCAREThe Department of Health’s Philippine Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions (PhilPEN) is a prime example of how primary healthcare can tackle NCDs effectively. Through screening for cardiovascular risks like smoking and diabetes at the community level, PhilPEN aims to reduce premature deaths and strengthen early intervention efforts.
Meanwhile, partnerships with the private sector and the pharmaceutical industry are crucial in advancing this mission. By delivering innovative medicines, vaccines, and support for universal health coverage, these collaborations accelerate progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
A CALL TO ACTIONAs we honor health workers this week, let us remember the essential role they play not only in saving lives but also in shaping resilient healthcare systems. Their tireless dedication deserves more than gratitude — it demands action. Policymakers, private organizations, and individuals must rally behind health workers, advocating for investments in health workforce development and community-based care.
Together, we can empower our health workers to continue being the heart of health and to build a future where NCDs no longer overshadow the lives of millions.
Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines which represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are in the forefront of research and development efforts for COVID-19 and other diseases that affect Filipinos.
