Health and Traditional Medicine

Health Definition and Human Rights

  • Health: A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being; not just the absence of disease.
    • The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental right of every human being, regardless of race, religion, political beliefs, economic or social conditions.

Traditional and Alternative Health Practices

  • Traditional Medicine:

    • Healing based on ancient practices, beliefs, and wisdom.
    • Widely practiced in society today.
    • Historically linked to animistic beliefs.

  • Alternative Medicine:

    • Rooted in traditional medicine, often involves home remedies prepared by family members.

Culture-Specific Syndromes

  • Healing Syndromes: Specific cultural beliefs impacting health diagnosis and treatment.
    1. Usog: A greeting believed to cause ailments.
    2. Kulam: A spell cast by a witch resulting in severe illnesses or potential death.
    3. Barang: A severe form of kulam involving insect withdrawal from orifices.
    4. Sapi: A condition of spirit possession causing loss of consciousness and supernatural actions.
    5. Engkanto: A spirit that becomes attached to a person, causing mental dysfunction or death.
    6. Nuno: Illness resulting from harming a "punso" or ant's nest.
    7. Lihi: A pregnant woman's obsessive craving for food may influence the child's appearance.
    8. Pasma: Involuntary hand tremors and numbness, believed caused by cold exposure after heat.

Diagnosis Techniques

  • Tawas: A supernatural therapy in which heated alum is applied to the body; the shapes formed can suggest the cause of illness.

Primary Practitioners of Traditional Medicine in the Philippines

  • Manghihilot: Traditional midwife/massage therapist treating muscle pain and assisting childbirth.

  • Albularyo: Performer of rituals/chants to ward off curses; believed to have supernatural powers.

  • Medico: An albularyo integrating traditional and modern medicine.

  • Faith Healer: Healer claims divine power influences healing efficacy.

  • Exorcists: Specially ordained individuals to expel evil spirits.

  • Babaylans: Priestesses in animistic religions, historically termed witches by Spaniards.

Health as a Human Right

  • According to WHO, every human has the right to health, which incorporates:
    • Medical services
    • Sanitation
    • Adequate nutrition
    • Decent housing
    • Healthy working conditions
    • Clean environment
  • The government is tasked with promoting and protecting these rights for all.

Key Articles on Health Rights

  • Article 25 of UDHR:

    • Everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living for health and well-being.
    • Special attention to motherhood and childhood rights.

  • Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights:

    • Recognition of the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
    • Key steps for realization:
      a. Reduce stillbirths and infant mortality.
      b. Improve environmental and industrial hygiene.
      c. Control diseases.
      d. Ensure access to medical services during illness.

  • Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child:

    • Recognition of children's rights to health services.
    • Goals include:
      a. Decreasing child mortality.
      b. Providing essential medical assistance.
      c. Combatting malnutrition.
      d. Ensuring appropriate maternal health care.
      e. Promoting education on child health and safety.

Legislative Framework for Health

  • Republic Act 7305: Magna Carta for Public Health Workers

    • Aims to improve health workers' well-being and develop their skills.

  • Republic Act 9502: Universal Access to Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act (2008)

    • Ensures access to affordable quality drugs and prioritizes public health.

  • Section 2 of Republic Act 8423: Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (1997)

    • Improves the quality of healthcare services through traditional medicine integration.

  • Republic Act 10354: Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act (2012)

    • Guarantees universal access to contraception, sex education, and maternal health care.