Hi John,
Having lived in the Philippines, here are my thoughts from my experience:
Urban Areas (Metro/Tier-1 Cities): Cities such as Manila, Cebu, and Davao are equipped with advanced medical technologies and specialized care options. These cities also have more healthcare professionals and private facilities, which translates to shorter wait times, but the cost of services can be high, particularly in private hospitals.
Rural Areas (Provincial): In contrast, provincial and rural areas face significant disparities. Facilities in these areas are often underfunded, lack modern equipment, and face shortages of trained healthcare professionals. Access to specialized care is limited, and people may need to travel to nearby urban centers for more comprehensive treatment. Affordability in public facilities is generally better, but the quality and accessibility are challenging.
And then, you have conveneient access to afforadable healthcare in the neighborhood countries like Thailand & Malaysia including Medical Tourism option.
Please do let me know if you would like to know further. Happy to help. Cheers!
Thanks,
Pramod