Thirty-seven Filipino children die of pneumonia daily, and 90% of those who die are under 5 years old.1 More than 50% of childhood pneumonia is readily treatable with antibiotics; however, only 31% of children with pneumonia receive the antibiotics they need.2 From 2016 to 2018, pneumonia and acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) comprised the 3rd leading cause of morbidity in the Philippines across all age groups. In 2018, there were 213,611 reported cases of pneumonia and ALRTI among Filipino children <5 years old.3 In 2011, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) created case rate packages for selected medical procedures and medical conditions, including pneumonia. A case rate is a fixed amount that PhilHealth pays to a health care provider for the diagnostic and therapeutic care of a patient with a particular disease or condition. The case rates for moderate-risk and high-risk pneumonia are PHP 15,000 and PHP 32,000, respectively.4 PhilHealth also introduced a no-balance-billing (NBB) policy, applicable to all PhilHealth Sponsored Program members and/or their dependents when they seek health care in a government hospital for diseases or conditions included in the case rate packages. The policy provides that government hospitals shall not charge other fees or expenses beyond the case rate to patients covered by the policy.4 Given the high incidence of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (PCAP), policies that support current efforts in attaining adequate financial protection of patients--or their families--would certainly improve health outcomes related to the disease. The aim of this article is to recommend health policies based on the results of a study on health insurance coverage of patients with PCAP.

The Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is the tertiary hospital in Davao City that is fast becoming a world-class, service-oriented medical center, leading in the provision of health care and training in Mindanao. For a century now, SPMC underwent several processes of reinvention in order to meet the changing needs of the public we serve. Between the years 1917 and 1920, Davao Hospital started operations in a temporary wooden pavilion originally built by the Bureau of Public Works for its sick laborers. The temporary hospital was equipped with basic equipment and had a small laboratory. The government of the Philippine Islands allocated budget for the salaries of one resident physician, one superintendent and property clerk, three nurses, four ward attendants, one cook, one assistant cook, and five laborers-a total of 16 personnel-to keep the hospital running. Over the succeeding decades, the Davao Hospital underwent several name changes, with corresponding increases in bed capacity from 50 in 1921 to 1200 in 2009. The hospital also slowly provided specialized health care services to cater to the growing needs of the populace. Starting in the 1950s, the hospital's services were divided into specialty areas, and the establishment of residency training programs in different medical disciplines soon followed. The services also became more specialized and sophisticated with the establishment of a burn unit, a heart center, a dialysis center, and a kidney transplant unit. We are an “accomplished” old institution. It is very tempting to go gentle into that good night and rest on our laurels. However, resting on previous achievements is definitely not an option. Prior success does not always guarantee continued results.
Physicians ; Internship and Residency

The growing problem of child sexual abuse (CSA) in the country has led the government to establish a set of standards for the delivery of hospital-based services to the survivors, in order to ensure that their needs are addressed promptly and effectively. Hence, the establishment of Women and Children Protection Units (WCPU) in all Department of Health (DOH) hospitals was mandated through a department administrative order.1 However, many WCPUs across the country are beset with problems such as inadequate facilities and equipment, and a scarcity of full-time service providers with proper training to handle survivors of CSA.2 These problems impede the delivery of optimal services required in managing clients in the WCPU.
Child Abuse, Sexual ; Survivor ; Child ; Female

Readiness of Health Care Staff: Statement 1. Family physicians and their staff should prepare themselves mentally, physically and emotionally before resuming clinic services. Prior to starting every clinic day, physicians and their staff should take their temperature and note respiratory symptoms. Statement 2. All clinical staff should be properly trained on proper use of PPEs, clinic disinfection, infection control and other safety procedures. Statement 3. Family Physicians should design an office management and operations plan that includes triage, patient flow, treatment and other patient care protocols including strict implementation of infection prevention and control procedures, management of PPE supplies and potential staff shortages. Statement 4. The clinic staff must inform their patients of the changes that may result from the new management and operations plan that will be made in the facility Clinic Procedures, Disinfection and Infection Control: Statement 5. After undergoing proper triage, non-COVID 19 patients entering the clinic should use a hand sanitizer, step on a foot bath or pad soaked in chlorine or any approved disinfectant solution at the entrance. All clinic staff, patients and accompanying persons should be wearing at least a mask inside the clinic. They should be instructed to avoid touching their face or mask and perform hand hygiene immediately before and after if cannot be avoided. Statement 6. Appropriate visual alerts or educational posters regarding infection control, proper handwashing, cough or sneezing etiquette should be visible inside the clinic. Statement 7. The clinic facility must have infection prevention and control measures that adhere to international and local standards. Statement 8. After appropriate triaging, a family physician when attending to a patient shall wear mask, single use gloves and eye protection while apron or gown is optional. It is up to the discretion of the family physician to use higher level of protection based on his risk assessment of the clinic environment and if resources are available. Clinical Services Statement 9. As much as possible, family physicians should continue all primary care services in the clinics. However, it is advisable to first limit the service to non-COVID-19 (suspect or diagnosed) patients. Patients needing COVID-19 assessment and management should be referred to appropriate facilities and follow the guidelines set forth by the Department of Health. Statement 10. A patient who consulted and whose symptoms were resolved may choose not come back for follow-up. Patients with chronic diseases may be followed-up at longer intervals if their illness is stable. Statement 11. Referrals for further assessment, diagnostic tests, or other procedures not available in the clinic must first be coordinated with the referral center/site
Personal Protective Equipment ; Triage ; Disinfection