Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go has urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to strengthen preventive healthcare without reducing support for patients who depend on dialysis and other life-sustaining treatments, after the state insurer disclosed that dialysis accounts for about a quarter of its payouts.
PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho said the agency spends roughly P100 billion of its P400-billion total disbursements on dialysis, underscoring the financial burden of treating advanced kidney disease.
Ho said earlier detection and management of hypertension and diabetes could help prevent these conditions from progressing to chronic kidney disease that may eventually require regular dialysis.
Go said expanding preventive services could help Filipinos manage illnesses before they become more serious and costly.
“Alagaan natin ang kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan habang maaga. Huwag nating hintayin na lumala ang sakit bago sila maalagaan. Kung maagapan natin ang hypertension, diabetes at iba pang sakit, mas maiiwasan natin ang mas mabigat na kondisyon at gastusin sa hinaharap,” Go said.
He stressed, however, that prevention efforts must go hand in hand with continued assistance for patients already undergoing dialysis.
“Sa mga nangangailangan na ng dialysis, tuloy-tuloy dapat ang suporta. Buhay po ang pinag-uusapan natin dito. Huwag tipirin ang Pilipino pagdating sa kalusugan,” he said.
Go also called on PhilHealth to ensure that its funds translate into accessible services and benefits for members, particularly low-income families struggling with medical expenses.
He said the agency’s resources come from members’ contributions and government funds and should be used to expand healthcare access, improve benefits and make services easier to obtain.
“Pera ng taumbayan ang pondo ng PhilHealth. Galing ’yan sa kontribusyon ng mga miyembro at sa pondo ng gobyerno. Kaya dapat bumalik sa taumbayan sa pamamagitan ng mas maayos, mas malawak at mas madaling ma-access na serbisyong pangkalusugan,” Go said.
The senator has also opposed the transfer of PhilHealth funds to the National Treasury. He welcomed the return of P60 billion following a Supreme Court ruling that ordered the amount returned and prohibited the transfer of the remaining P29.9 billion.
“Paulit-ulit nating sinasabi noon pa na ang PhilHealth ay para sa health ng Pilipino!” Go said previously, calling for the restored funds to translate into better benefits, faster claims processing and wider healthcare coverage.
Ho described investments in primary care as important to the long-term sustainability of the national health insurance fund. She also noted that regular dialysis sessions can affect patients’ ability to work.
PhilHealth has been expanding its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), which aims to provide members with primary care services and support earlier diagnosis and treatment. The program includes medical consultations, laboratory and diagnostic services, medicines and cancer screening benefits.
Go welcomed the greater focus on primary care, saying members should be able to consult doctors, undergo necessary tests and obtain medicines before their illnesses worsen.
“Mas maganda kung maagapan. Mas maganda kung makapagpa-checkup agad ang ating mga kababayan, may laboratory tests, may gamot at may doktor na tumitingin sa kanila bago pa maging malubha ang kanilang karamdaman,” he said.
He has also pushed for the establishment of Super Health Centers focused on primary care, consultations and early disease detection, alongside Regional Specialty Centers intended to bring specialized medical services closer to patients outside Metro Manila.
Go said prevention and treatment must remain complementary, especially for families who cannot afford prolonged illness.
“Ang layunin natin, alagaan ang Pilipino mula sa umpisa. Kung kaya nating pigilan ang sakit, pigilan natin. Kung may sakit na at kailangan ng gamutan, tulungan natin. Kung kailangan ng dialysis, siguraduhin nating may sapat na benepisyo,” he said.
He urged PhilHealth to continue improving its benefit packages and ensure members know how to access the services available to them.
“Maraming Pilipino ang nagtitiis ng sakit dahil iniisip nila wala silang pambayad. Kaya trabaho ng gobyerno na ilapit ang serbisyo, ipaalam sa kanila ang mga benepisyo at siguraduhing talagang nagagamit nila ang pondong nakalaan para sa kanilang kalusugan,” Go said.
Photo courtesy of BusinessMirror
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