Enrique Ona, the former Secretary of Health in the Philippines, discusses his tenure as secretary of state, the effects of revenues from a “sin tax” on expanding universal healthcare to all Filipino citizens, as well as some of the challenges being faced in fully realizing this goal. He also discusses the current medical issues facing the country as well as the role of pharmaceutical companies in working to address them.
In 2010 you were given the task of making universal health coverage for all Filipinos a reality. What are your thoughts on the progress made towards this goal, and what challenges are currently being faced?
"As with many countries, heart disease is an issue that we need to focus on here in the Philippines, as well as strokes and hypertension. We have made progress with infectious diseases, for example we have seen a decrease in the rates of tuberculosis, but not among the poorer populations."
