Millions in Philippines lack private insurance, face high healthcare costs

More than half of the Philippines’ 120 million population lack private health or life insurance. A 2022 study found that national health insurer Phil-health has only shouldered 14 per cent of total health expenditures in the last 30 years. That means Filipino families have had to pay nearly half of the country’s medical bills out-of-pocket. Jacob Lazaro reports from Metro Manila.