National Health insurance in Japan vs the Philippines

National Health insurance in Japan vs the Philippines It was my first time to visit a women’s clinic in Osaka, Japan to get a check up. It was actually my first time to visit any clinic/ hospital overseas because up until that point, I have only been to clinics and hospitals in the Philippines. And I was amazed at how efficient, clean and affordable everything was. I had routine testing and was prescribed medicine for a total cost of ¥8,910 or ₱3,600. And I just had to compare it to what it would cost if I had the same procedure in the Philippines: If I had this done in the Philippines, it would have cost almost 3 times more! • Average cost in the PH* • Examination fee ₱500 • Abdomen Ultrasound ₱2,000 • Urinalysis ₱200 • Pregnancy test ₱300 • Pap Smear ₱1,000 • STD Testing ₱3,000 • Anti bacterial tablets - 6 days ₱1,200 • Dienogest- 30 days - 2x per day ₱2,000 Average Total cost in the Philippines: ₱10,200 Actual cost in a Women’s clinic in Osaka: ¥8,910 or ₱3,600 Difference? It costs 283.33% MORE in the Philippines. Japan’s national health insurance covers 70% of your standard medical and prescription costs at clinics or hospitals. You only need to pay 30%. Unlike the Philippines, almost all standard medical, dental, and specialist clinics in Japan accept public health insurance. As a student, I’m also required to contribute monthly to the national health insurance: 保険 - hoken - insurance: ¥2,780 or ₱1,112 While I’m lucky to be able to experience good quality and affordable care for the first time in my life, it deeply saddens me that Filipinos do not have access to even the basic level of care in the Philippines. Despite high taxes and high contributions, bulok pa rin ang systema because the government just does not care. They would rather be greedy and corrupt forevermore. Hay. * I may have not covered all the tests done because of the language barrier and technical terms. So they might have done more tests that I was not able to cover here. *