Philippines Covid-19 Poverty Monitor April 2021

Access to health services: Many respondents are avoiding public health services due to the misconception that common flu symptoms will be diagnosed as Covid-19 and require quarantine in a facility. Testing is also prohibitively expensive and not covered by the country’s universal health insurance. There is also a stigma associated with contracting the virus. Two households revealed that they did not consult a doctor for possible Covid-19 symptoms and one interviewee continued going to work despite symptoms. “My wife, two children, and I experienced flu symptoms – fever, cough and colds – including loss of smell and taste one after the other. We were afraid of going to the doctor because people say that even high blood pressure is diagnosed as Covid-19. We just took paracetamol and ate chilli. I even continued going to work. Workers in the workplaces I inspected reported experiencing the same symptoms.” Male respondent, Bicol region “We are scared of getting Covid-19 because once you get to the doctor, they will diagnose you with it at once.” Female Respondent, Bicol region