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SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals aims to work in a collaborative partnership to enhance the progress of different development sectors. This sustainable development goal strengthens the means of implementation and revitalizes the global partnership for sustainable development of the entirety. (EuroStat, 2021)

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SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals promotes understanding and cooperation among the countries with proper consideration of the diversity and differences in different aspects. Aside from that, SDG 17 highlights the importance of global macroeconomic stability and the need to prepare and consume financial sources for developing countries. SDG 17 furthermore recognizes the importance of having access to science, technology and innovation, and in particular, internet-based information and  communications technology (EuroStat, 2021)

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In line with SDG 17, what social problem are we focusing on?

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In line with SDG 17, what social problem are we focusing on?

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As this SDG focuses on the unity and cooperation between countries, cities, or sectors, we chose a social problem that has been occurring for a long time and has been worsened by the pandemic, and this problem is the SHORTAGE OF MEDICAL RESOURCES AND SUPPLIES.

We found this social problem relevant and connected to the sustainable development goal assigned to us because most countries suffer from this problem and this can't be solved alone and independently. It requires communication with other people, countries, or organizations, and partnership on determining and developing ways to solve this problem effectively. Until good relationship and understanding between different nations are established, this problem can't be completely given an end.

Most importantly, the shortage of medical supplies connects to SDG 17 since SDG 17 focuses on strengthening global partnerships, and the exporting and importing of medical products in the country can help support and achieve the vision of SDG17 and improve the country's response to our chosen social problem. Because of the lacking medical resources in the country we are ought to receive supplies through trading which only can be done if we partner with other nations.

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THE HISTORY STATED BELOW MOSTLY FOCUSES ON MINDANAO

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What is the root of SHORTAGE OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES? (HISTORY)

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What is the root of SHORTAGE OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES? (HISTORY)

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Way back mid-1990s, one of the most disadvantaged regions in the Philippines recognized was the predominantly rural region of Western Mindanao. The region suffered from high birth, infant, and child mortality rates, a high prevalence of infectious diseases and malnutrition, and extremely limited health resources due to the lack of doctors and health workers, small hospitals, and poor health system. (Halili Jr., Cristobal, et.al., 2017)

Although few years have passed and the health system in the country had experienced growth, the social problem remained rampant. In 2007, World Health Organization (WHO) had donated 1 million pesos or approximately US$21400 for emergency medicines and supplies for the displaced population in Mindanao in response to the escalation of fighting between the Arm Forces of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. (Reliefweb, 2007) At that time there was a serious shortage of medicines and medical supplies, especially instruments for trauma since the nearest hospital and the hospitals around the region are not equipped to manage cases due to the lack of emergency drugs and supplies which results to 58 deaths, 1021 injuries and 1048 medical consultations in health facilities.

There were also multiple death cases in the Philippines, even in other countries, especially in the low and middle-class countries, which were not entirely caused by the sickness of a patient but due to the lack of health services and medical supplies to aid the patient's needs which could have been prevented. This commonly happens in Venezuela. In 2016, the country suffered from death cases caused by dying infants due to limited accommodation that the hospitals give, and death cases that should have been preventable but haven't been given a chance to be prevented due to no medicine. Venezuela struggle from the failing hospitals to the extent that one surgeon had stated that the death of a baby is like their daily bread and the multiple deaths were like from the 19th century. (Casey, 2016)

Up to the pandemic period, the struggle caused by the medical supplies shortage continues to be felt and had been one of the major problems in experiencing development in the country. For example, Cotabato City admitting that the region was having a hard time keeping up with the challenges in flight against Covid-19. The Ministry of Health (MOH) - BARMM chief, Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan said their dwindling stocks of medical supplies, equipment, and health facilities are badly needed in the crisis brought by Covid-19.  “At this time, we have enough funds to buy medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) but the challenge is that because of the huge demand, we are having a hard time procuring the needed medical necessities,” Dipatuan said. (Saiden, 2020)

This shows that even after many decades and experiencing various health problems, may it be small or big, the social problem, medical supplies shortage continues to happen, even worsened. In reference also to the history stated, we need help and cooperation from other countries in order to lessen the burden that this social problem brings.

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How does this social issue occur in the context of the pandemic?

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How does this social issue occur in the context of the pandemic?

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One of the things we consider in choosing our social problem aside from it is connected to the sustainable development goal assigned to us is that it can also be connected to the struggles we face this time of the pandemic.

Undeniably, the pandemic causes the Philippines to suffer more from the medical resources and supplies shortage. In the early time of the pandemic, April 2020, there was an extreme shortage of personal protective equipment where most hospitals request help to solve the shortage. The number of Covid-19 cases was also rapidly increasing at that time and the country had limited testing kits. Fortunately, the country received help from other countries such as China who donated 100,000 testing kits, 100,000 surgical masks, 40,000 N95 masks, 50,000 PPEs, 5,000 face shields, and 30 ventilators, and Singapore also gave out 43,000 coronavirus testing kits and one polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine. (Tomacruz, 2020)

The shortage didn't end within those early months of the pandemic in the country. General Santos had recently sought help for more health workers and medical equipment. According to Richelyn Gubalani's article, The City Inter-Agency Task Force (CIATF) for the Management of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases is seeking assistance from the national government for the deployment of additional nurses and medical equipment to the area. The root of their concern is the rapid increase of Covid-19 cases in the city. Aside from raising their request for more nurses and be provided with medical equipment, the city was still following up the national government on the delivery of new and additional PPE and other needed supplies.

Davao City experiences a sudden and rapid increasing number of Covid-19 cases recently but with the help of DOH and donations of vaccines from WHO and other countries and organizations, 33,900 doses of AstraZeneca jabs arrived at the Davao International Airport last July 2021 and has been distributed to the region of Davao. As of the moment, 611,838 were already administered where 88.3% was the utilization rate for the first dose and 42.5% for the second dose. (Palicte, 2021)

The same occurred in other parts of the world, like India where the country suffers from the second wave of infections alongside the vaccine supply shortage as mentioned by an article posted by Pharmaceutical Technology. India continues to be much more vulnerable during the pandemic but different organizations and countries show compassion to the low and middle-income countries like India and have been donating essential needs to help for their coping and progress.

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Watch the video and witness how profound the problem of medical supplies shortage during the pandemic

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Watch the video and witness how profound the problem of medical supplies shortage during the pandemic

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As shown in the video, even one of the richest countries in the world suffers from the shortage of medical supplies. This just proves that this problem affects anyone and any country, regardless of the state and stability that it's known for. Help and partnership is the key to lessen the struggles that this social problem brings.

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Coronavirus: China faces shortage of medical supplies

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What can we do to fix the medical resources and supplies shortage, especially at the time of the pandemic?

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What can we do to fix the medical resources and supplies shortage, especially at the time of the pandemic?

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All of us are partners in fighting the pandemic, and we all have one goal, that is, to defeat the virus. Although there is a shortage of medical supplies, we should make concerted efforts to fight together, all nations, organizations, and citizens.

SDG 17 will surely be one of the keys to fighting not only the pandemic but also the shortage of medical resources and supplies since this social problem began way back before and will surely continue to flourish and develop for the future years.

We stand on spreading awareness that shortage of medical resources and supplies is a serious problem and affects the lives of many, especially to patients that can be cured and deaths that can be prevented that sadly be stolen with the opportunity to live due to the shortage that nations suffer from. Being aware of this social problem help drive everyone and every country to make a move and be encouraged to develop partnership and communication with others that will benefit in lessening the struggles brought by the said social problem.

The government's response to the medical resources and supplies shortage at this time of the pandemic reflects the importance of solidarity and having a harmonious relationship with the citizens in providing our needs. In Davao City, the City Government of Davao has procured medical supplies for the frontliners battling against the spread of Covid-19 in the city. Davao City Mayor, Sara Duterte, stated that these medical supplies were given to help the health workers of SPMC which is the city's main facility that accommodates and caters Covid-19 patients. (Davao City Government. 2020)

In response also to Davao City being placed under GCQ due to the high numbers of active Covid-19 cases, DOH had deployed additional 15 volunteer healthcare workers to assist in addressing the pandemic in the city and strengthening the workforce to avoid worsening the situation in Davao City. (Montemayor, 2020)

Among the stated responses of the government to our chosen social problem, there are more ways of how the government took action to address the shortage and most of it involves partnership with other cities, sectors, and countries which all have the goal to stop worsening the medical resources and supplies shortage and putting an end to the pandemic.

What about the citizens? The citizens should also have a fair share of contribution in solving this social problem. The citizens can promote and spread awareness to others by using our voices and freedom on social media platforms. They can also help by staying at home and wait for the next supplies so that they can greatly avoid spreading the illness. Of course, to be open-minded that no pride should hinder accepting and giving help to others to develop sincere partnership and communication with one another. It is important that we are aware and use that awareness to make an act of helping others and recognizing what we need and what we should do, especially in this time of the pandemic.

Overall, we aim the citizens to open their eyes and recognize that the Philipines can't survive the pandemic and solve the medical resources and supplies shortage alone and without the help of other people or countries. Remove the pride and admit that unity, communication, and partnership are the most effective ways to address our chosen social problem. Continuing to turn a blind eye to this social problem comes with continuing also the risk of multiple lives that can be saved if only provided with the deserved health service and medical supplies.

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EuroStat Explained. (2021). SDG 17 - Partnerships for the goals
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=SDG_17_-_Partnerships_for_the_goals

ISGlobal Barcelona Institute for Globel Health. (2021). Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
https://www.isglobal.org/en/-/sdg-17-strengthen-the-means-of-implementation-and-revitalize-the-global-partnership-for-sustainable-development

Servando ‘Ben’ Halili Jr, Fortunato Cristobal, Torres Woolley, Simone J. Ross, Carole Reeve & A-J. Neusy. (2017). Addressing health workforce inequities in the Mindanao regions of the Philippines: Tracer study of graduates from a socially-accountable, community-engaged medical school and graduates from a conventional medical school (p. 859-865). https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0142159X.2017.1331035

Reliefweb. (2007). Philippines: WHO donates health kits for Mindanao refugees.
https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/philippines-who-donates-health-kits-mindanao-refugees

Sofia Tomacruz. (2020). LIST: Countries giving aid to Philippines during coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/list-foreign-aid-philippines-coronavirus-pandemic

Nicholas Casey. (2016). Dying Infants and No Medicine: Inside Venezuela’s Failing Hospitals.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/16/world/americas/dying-infants-and-no-medicine-inside-venezuelas-failing-hospitals.html

Richelyn Gubalani. (2021). GenSan seeks gov’t help for more nurses, medical equipment.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1145590

CNN Philippines. (2021). Over 3.2M COVID-19 vaccine shots arrive in PH.
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/6/10/Sinovac-Pfizer-COVID-19-vaccine-delivery-Philippines.html

Che Palicte. (2021). Davao Region gets over 1M Covid-19 vaccine doses.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1147049

Albashir Saiden. (2020). BARMM cites scarcity in medical supplies, facilities.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1098424

Dave Fornell. (2020). Shortage of PPE Due to COVID-19 Driving Innovation by RT in The Philippines.
https://www.itnonline.com/article/shortage-ppe-due-covid-19-driving-innovation-rt-philippines

Davao City Government. (2020). DAVAO CITY PROCURES MEDICAL SUPPLIES FOR COVID-19 FRONTLINERS.
https://www.davaocity.gov.ph/health/davao-city-procures-medical-supplies-for-covid-19-frontliners/

Ma. Teresa Montemayor. (2020). ‘Healthcare warriors’ deployed in Davao City.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1123611

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