The coming elections are once again training the nation's attention to the candidates' personality, personal history, and social, economic and political affiliation.  The platform of government of a presidential candidate may have been printed somewhere, probably in an outline form, with general statements of intent and purpose the details of which may or may not yet exist. 

One issue - ONE MAJOR ISSUE - that is not being given sufficient or appropriate focus is the issue of HEALTH.  When the issue of health is raised, what comes to mind is sick people needing medicines and money for treatment. 

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Health is so much more than just the absence of disease.  It sits on the social, economic, political and cultural dimensions of nation-building, and extends from creating a safe environment conducive to productive work to establishing equity and access to decent health care.  Health is about good governance; it requires good leaders who understand fully the importance of good health in nation-building.

The Philippine College of Physicians, the national umbrella organization of 8,000 internists and sub-specialists in the country, is hosting a forum on health, "What has health got to do with everything?", on March 16, Tuesday,  involving 4 presidential candidates. The forum is in collaboration with the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health.  It will be aired over primetime television (ANC Channel) from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Presidential candidates Benigno Aquino III, Richard Gordon, Gilbert Teodoro and Manuel Villar will be participating.  We are inviting you to watch the forum.

Should there be questions you want to ask the presidential candidates, please submit them here on or before March 9, Tuesday. Submit Questions Here

Eugenio Jose F. Ramos, M.D., FPCP

President