The Health of the Nation

As I was writing this article, I was in bed recuperating from colds and flu. This is the time of the year when the North easterly winds bring the cold air from the Northern hemisphere and/or Siberia to our country. The average temperature in the country could plummet to low 20's and low 10's in Baguio City. This normally wreaks havoc on the very core of our country, it's well being, it's health.

It's very evident in public that you can see many Filipinos who are sick. You can hear them coughing in restaurants, public transport or countless of workers and employees who had sick calls due to colds or flu. You go to government offices to transact business and you're lucky if you are not asked to come back as the one in charge is sick. This is normally the situation in the country from December to end of February or it can even extend to second week of March when the Siberian wind is finally gone.

The seemingly imperceptible impact on the economy is not well heralded and the agency in charge of health is mute if not doing anything about it. I have no available numbers right now but I can surmise the absences plus the costs of being sick by members of the society could be considerable. It's just that no one is monitoring the number of sick people and the cost it entails them financially and emotionally as well.

Up to now there is no effective antidote for colds or flu except the old prescriptions, drink more water and rest. This phenomenon is regular and common every year. But why can't the Health Department do something about it? The least being the issuing of health advisories about the situation and tips for people on what to do when the Siberian wind comes to the country. Some may not realize it but it's not only the health of the nation that is at stake, it's the wealth as well!