It is an unfortunate but ever so common fact of life that sometimes there are accidents and emergencies. This is also true in the Philippines. Many expats, unfortunately, become ill and require medical assistance when they're in the Philippines. This article will detail what to do if there is an accident or emergency, where to go, and the insurance implications.
Who to call in an emergency in the Philippines
The main emergency number in the Philippines is 911, which has replaced 117. It is referred to as the Emergency Network Philippines. It is also possible to send a text to 911 in the event of an emergency. The 911 number can be used nationwide, and calls are directed to one of the 16 call centers located within the Philippines.
The following are hotlines and useful numbers in the Philippines:
- National Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)
- Tel: 02 911 1406
- Philippine National Red Cross (Red Cross)
- Tel: 143 / 02 911 1876
- Child Rescue Protection (Bantay Bata)
- Tel: 163
- Department of Health (DOH)
- Tel: 02 711 1001 / 02 711 1002
- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
- Tel: 02 511 1259 / 02 851 2681
Ambulance services in the Philippines
Ambulance services on the smaller islands of the Philippines (remember the Philippines is an archipelago) are few and far between, and it can be the role of the police to assist in many circumstances.
In more urban areas, calling 911 (previously 117) will direct you to the ambulance call center for public hospitals. Please check your medical insurance that you are covered for such callouts.
If you are covered by a private hospital, then the hospital in question may have their own private ambulance, and calling them will be through their emergency contact numbers given to you.
Health risks in the Philippines
The World Health Organization Director-General recently declared an end to the COVID-19 emergency yet considers COVID-19 an ‘ongoing health issue.' While the Philippines reopened its borders, it is still important to be aware of the COVID-19 precautions, have the correct vaccinations, and have the option to wear a mask which is still popular in Philippine cities.
When moving to the Philippines, you should also take into account health risks to which you might be exposed, such as dengue, malaria, typhoid, cholera, leptospirosis, rabies, etc. Remember to update your relevant vaccines before traveling.
The ‘ER' (emergency room) in the Philippines
If you are in the unfortunate situation of needing to visit the ER/ emergency room in the Philippines, here are a few pointers to steer you in the right direction.
The Emergency Room in the Philippines prioritizes care based on the level of severity of the patient. The Filipino staff's medical knowledge, quick thinking, and attention to detail will help assess a patient's needs, obtain medical history and personal information, and request a doctor's evaluation immediately for serious issues. Staff in the ER are able to speak English, and there is a general genuine care and assistance that can be felt even in the busiest of hospitals, especially if you are an expat/ foreigner. Emergency room nurses will also help to convey complicated medical lingo from a doctor regarding diagnosis and treatment to layman's terms for expats.
When a patient does not require being admitted to the hospital and is deemed ready to leave the emergency room, they may be prescribed medication which can be obtained in a hospital pharmacy or a pharmacy/ drug store nearby. Please check your medical insurance cover for such eventualities.
What to do in the case of a car accident in the Philippines
Car accidents are a hugely common occurrence in the Philippines. Whether it is a serious or minor car crash, the aftermath can be a stressful and challenging experience for everyone involved. Although you may feel lost as to what to do directly after an accident, here are some practical things to remember after a vehicle accident in the Philippines if you ever find yourself in that situation:
Stop your vehicle and remain at the site of the accident; do not leave the accident scene.
Make sure it is safe to get out of your car.
Assess if anyone is hurt.
If there is any injury, immediately seek medical attention by calling 911 (previously 117) to request the dispatch of a medical response team and a traffic investigator.
For more information regarding car accident reports and insurance, please see our article about ‘Driving in the Philippines'.
Health insurance in the Philippines
There are three types of health insurance in the Philippines that you can choose from. Let's take a look at what their differences are.
PhilHealth
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, or PhilHealth, is a government-run insurance provider. Compared to private providers, this type of insurance is more affordable. PhilHealth has an established insurance program that provides financial assistance to Filipino citizens who are employed or otherwise and in need of medical attention or surgery. If you are an employee, half of your monthly contribution will be shouldered by your employer, and the other half will be deducted from your salary.
HMO
HMOs or Health Maintenance Organizations are private organizations providing healthcare insurance to members. Their difference from private health insurance is that they have a network of doctors and healthcare providers. Their members can only avail of the benefits from those within that network.
The plans that are offered by HMOs are often customizable, but there is usually a limit to how much financial assistance you can get in a year. The higher the premium you are paying, the bigger your annual allowance will be, too. There are several HMO providers in the country, but the most popular ones are Maxicare and MediCard. HMO membership is usually provided by private companies to their employees on top of their PhilHealth contribution.
Private health insurance
Unlike HMOs, which offer access to a limited network of healthcare providers, private health insurance companies offer access to a more extensive network. It is not that common for companies to offer this type of insurance as a part of their benefits package, although there are a few that do.
Useful links:
Ministry of Health
Philhealth
National Health Facility Registry
The Filipinodoctor
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
