Barriers to Timely Access to Specialized Healthcare in a Geographically Isolated Municipality: Evidence from Mapun, Tawi-Tawi

Timely access to specialized healthcare remains one of the most pressing challenges in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), contributing to preventable morbidity, premature mortality, and a diminished quality of life. This study examined the barriers to specialized healthcare in Mapun, Tawi-Tawi, a remote island municipality in the Philippines, and explored how these barriers affect patient outcomes. A cross-sectional descriptive–correlational design was adopted to capture both the profile and perceptions of the community. Using snowball sampling, 218 respondents with personal or familial experience in seeking healthcare within Mapun or at referral centers outside the island were recruited. Data were gathered through a validated researcher-developed questionnaire consisting of three sections, which captured demographic information, levels of awareness of healthcare barriers, and perceived impacts on morbidity, mortality, quality of life, and satisfaction. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic characteristics, while Pearson’s correlation coefficient and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to test associations between demographic factors and levels of awareness. Results revealed that the respondents were predominantly female and economically disadvantaged, with 68 percent reporting a household monthly income below ₱12,500, underscoring the economic vulnerability of the population. All respondents relied exclusively on sea transport, with boat travel times ranging from 14 to 30 hours to reach the nearest referral hospital. The most frequently identified barriers were geographical isolation (92%), financial constraints (85%), lack of specialists (81%), and shortage of healthcare professionals (78%). These factors were significantly correlated with negative outcomes, including heightened morbidity (M = 3.21), preventable mortality (M = 3.09), diminished quality of life (M = 3.12), and high dissatisfaction with healthcare services (M = 3.34). Older respondents and those with lower incomes exhibited higher levels of awareness, suggesting that they are disproportionately affected by these barriers (p < 0.05). The study concludes that delayed access to specialized healthcare in Mapun significantly worsens health outcomes and exacerbates inequalities, particularly among older adults and low-income households. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive policy response that includes investment in transport infrastructure, deployment and retention of healthcare professionals, expansion of local facilities, integration of telehealth services, and enhancement of financial risk protection mechanisms such as PhilHealth coverage and targeted subsidies. These interventions are crucial not only for improving health outcomes in Mapun but also for advancing the Philippines’ commitment to universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals on health equity.