President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said PhilHealth will expand its preventive health program next year to gradually include blood tests and medicines aimed at detecting and monitoring kidney, liver and thyroid conditions, as well as hepatitis B, earlier.
Marcos announced the expansion in his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona), in which he outlined the government’s health programs covering preventive care, medicines, and treatment for serious and common diseases.
‘If our true goal is to prevent disease, this is not enough. We need to detect and monitor health problems much earlier,’ Marcos said.
‘That is why we are further expanding this program. Starting next year, we will gradually include various types of blood tests and medications so that potential kidney, liver, thyroid, and hepatitis B conditions can be detected and monitored at an earlier stage,’ he added.
Marcos described Universal Health Care, implemented with the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth, as the country’s primary health protection system.
He cited the Yakap program as part of the government’s push toward preventive and early health care.
‘Being proactive is better than simply working hard. That is the goal of our Yakap Program: to keep Filipinos healthy and away from disease, and to address potential illnesses before they become serious,’ Marcos said.
According to Marcos, 25 million Filipinos have already registered under the program, while 4.5 million have received consultations this year.
The government also wants more clinics to participate in Yakap to give patients more options, he said.
P20,000 annual medicine benefit
Marcos also cited PhilHealth’s GAMOT program, under which members can obtain medicines from more than 2,000 accredited providers.
Each member has an annual benefit limit of P20,000.
The program currently covers 75 essential medicines, including antibiotics and medicines for asthma, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, cough, fever and other common illnesses, according to Marcos.
‘In the first seven months of this year, more than 300,000 of our fellow Filipinos have already benefited from these medicines,’ he said.
Over 2,000 medicines exempted from VAT
Marcos also said more than 2,000 medicines have been exempted from value-added tax (VAT). Of these, more than 700 are for cancer, over 500 are for hypertension, while more than 600 are for diabetes and mental health, according to figures he cited.
‘By removing this tax, the result is lower prices for these products in pharmacies,’ Marcos said.
Marcos also said PhilHealth continues to expand the diseases, conditions and services it covers and has increased benefit limits to account for rising prices. He specifically cited coverage for serious and prevalent illnesses such as cancer and heart disease.
He said HIV/AIDS treatment is now also covered as the government seeks to address the rising number of cases in the country.
He also cited tuberculosis, which he said kills nearly 100 people each day in the Philippines.
‘PhilHealth’s substantial support is also there if you truly need to be admitted to a hospital. PhilHealth continues to expand its coverage to include more diseases, medical conditions, and healthcare services. It has also increased its benefit limits to ensure they keep pace with rising costs,’ Marcos said.
‘PhilHealth gives priority to widespread and serious illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease. Coverage now also includes HIV/AIDS treatment to help curb the growing number of cases in the country. Treatment for tuberculosis is likewise covered-a disease that claims nearly 100 lives every day in our country,’ he added.