History of medicine in the Philippines

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The history of medicine in the Philippines spans from ancient folk healing traditions to modern Western medicine, with a long coexistence of both approaches.

Early roots and healers
Before Spanish rule, Filipino communities relied on shamans and healers. Babaylan were often women who served as religious leaders, healers, and seers. Over time, other traditional practitioners emerged, including albularyo (herbal doctors), hilot (massage therapists and bone setters), and midwives. Many healers believed their powers came from spirits or God, and their methods mixed prayers, rituals, herbs, massage, and divination. In Cebu and other areas, these traditonal healers blended Christian beliefs with local practices, creating a rich mix of natural and supernatural healing.

Other traditional roles included:
- Manghihilot or hilot: massage and physical therapy to treat skeletal and muscle problems.
- Magpapaanak: midwife who helps with prenatal care and delivery, sometimes performing rituals.
- Mangluluop and manghihila: diagnostic and massage techniques using burned materials and rubbing methods.
- Mangtatawas: diagnosis using tawas (alum) and other objects.
- Mediko: a folk doctor who may combine herbal medicine with Western-style treatments.
- Faith healers: healers who rely on spiritual powers or remote healing.
- Cordilleran shamans: healers from the northern highlands who practiced animism, sacrifices, and rituals to prevent disease.

Healing knowledge was often handed down through families or apprenticeship, and many customs varied by region. Disease was frequently interpreted as the result of supernatural causes, imbalance, or misfortune.

Spanish era: new systems and institutions
During Spanish rule, friars and missionaries built an organized system of medicine, hospitals, and pharmacy, while traditional practices continued. The word “mediquillos” and other terms described folk doctors, who were sometimes labeled as quacks by colonial authorities. The Catholic Church documented plants and remedies, and some texts aimed to help ordinary people manage illnesses with limited means.

Key facilities and education:
- Hospitals founded by religious orders (Franciscans, Misericordia, San Juan de Dios, Dominicans) and lay leaders. Notable early hospitals included those in Manila, Cebu, Cavite, Laguna, and Naga. Some hospitals still exist today, like Hospital de San Juan de Dios and Hospital de Santa Ana.
- Los Baños in Laguna became known for its hot springs and medical visits.
- Public health and vaccination began to take shape. A central vaccination board started in the early 1800s, and by 1898 there were dozens of vaccinators across provinces.

Pharmacy, medicine, and notable practices
The 17th–18th centuries saw imported medicines from Europe and Asia, plus local remedies documented by scientists and priests. The Manila Parian area housed doctors and Chinese apothecaries. Childbirth remained primarily managed by midwives and parish priests, with several manuals published by missionaries to guide ordinary people in basic care.

By the late 19th century, true pharmacies and formal medical education began to take hold:
- In 1830, “true pharmacies” appeared in Manila.
- 1871: a faculty of pharmacy was established at the University of Santo Tomas.
- 1875: public pharmacies (Botiquin Auxiliar) were created to improve medicine supply in shortages.
- Medical education and trained physicians expanded, though access remained limited for many Filipinos.

Medicine during American rule and the early 20th century
The American period brought a focus on sanitation, public health, and education. Observers criticized the lack of adequate medical care in some areas, but there was strong investment in training and institutions:
- 1908: the Philippine Legislature established the University of the Philippines.
- 1910: the Philippine Medical School became part of UP, growing into the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and Surgery.
- Filipino doctors and scientists made notable advances in bacteriology, parasitology, and clinical treatments (for example, research on yaws, syphilis, leprosy, beriberi, and nutrition).

World War II and the interwar period
The Japanese occupation during World War II overwhelmed health services. Prisons and internment camps, such as Santo Tomas, faced severe shortages of food, medicine, and sanitation, leading to widespread disease and suffering. Prison doctors and missionaries tried to maintain care under harsh conditions.

Art, memory, and legacy
Philippine medical history is celebrated in art as well. The mural series The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines by Botong Francisco traces medicine from pre-colonial times through the Spanish and American eras to the modern period. The paintings are preserved as national treasures and are now reproduced for display in museums and hospitals.

Today
Modern medicine in the Philippines blends Western-trained doctors and healthcare workers with traditional healers who continue to serve many rural and poor communities. Western medical schools, hospitals, and research coexist with a vibrant tradition of folk healing, reflecting a long and complex history of care, belief, and resilience.