If there is one who is afraid of the Swine Flu virus it’s me. Who wants to be sick and become a carrier of this dreaded disease? Much has been written about it and I don’t want to add more information because the internet is flooded with information about this epidemic. Not to mention that right here in the Philippines there is already one diagnosed case of H1N1 influenza virus. The Department of Health secretary went on international television to disclose said information.
The entire world is alarmed with this highly communicable yet fatal disease spreading on the different continents of the world. But the WHO is even more alarmed on the evolution of this strain to a more virulent one.
But there is one more alarming case of a dreadful disease that transcends material boundaries. It is a spiritual disease called sin. Yes sin is all the root cause of all the evils in this world such as crime, corruption, immorality, injustices, and greed. Not unless we recognize the need to be freed from our sins that we will find relief on the evil that has already infected the human race.
Take a classic case of the decay in the oral health program of the Philippines and the ever declining efficiency of public health service in general. Not only that we have a problem on scarcity of financial resources to provide efficient medical service to the people, we also have problems of corruption. Not only the people are sick, even our health services too. Of course local executives can always justify on the use of resources for medical services with the Commission on Audit. But the fact remains, after the devolution of health services to the local government units, there has been a decline observed on the efficiency of our health services. Corruption can not be ignored as a possible culprit.
Election time again. It’s about time to elect a new set of officials specially the highest position of the land. Once again we will be hearing promises on improved health and social services for the people. A, this is the pain of democracy. Sometimes democracy is humorously defined as a system of government which “buys” the people, and “fool” the people. While I am not comfortable with the definition, I know this is happening in the Philippine society.
Let us cure our system. Let us reform ourselves –through the power of God. Democracy is a government of the people, for the people, and by the people. No other definition stands rightful than this. Let us elect the most trusted of those aspiring to serve the people and manage the affair of our government. I know it is difficult to do it but with prayer and faith we will achieve the unreachable dream.
KLINIKA BOBONYO @ your service 