Access to medicines a concern in Correctional Institution for Women —DOH-MMCHD

Access to maintenance medicines, including those for cancer treatment, is one of the issues hounding the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) inside the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), according to the Department of Health's Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) on Tuesday.

During her visit to the CIW in light of the Women’s Month, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said she found PDLs who are ill with cancer and tuberculosis, and those awaiting to be treated and undergo diagnostic procedures.

MMCHD regional director Aleli Sudiacal then raised their concern about the government’s low budget for the PDLs, particularly to fund their medicines.

“Challenge po talaga ‘yung access nila to medicines. Alam naman natin na very limited ang budget na kayang ibigay ng gobyerno sa ating bawat persons deprived of liberty. So, hindi sapat ito lalong lalo na sa PDLs na may comorbidities o may sakit sa hypertension at diabetes,” she said.

(Their access to medicines is really a challenge. We know that the budget the government could provide to PDLs is very limited. So, it is not enough especially for PDLs with comorbidities or with hypertension and diabetes.)

“Isang challenge din ‘yung access to cancer medicines. Meron namang programa na [Another challenge is the access to cancer medicines. There is a program called the] Cancer Medicines Access Program. It’s a matter of just linking our PDLs, these government institutions, to the right sources or to these government or private facilities that are providing these services,” she added.

The DOH committed to equip and supply the CIW with more medicines for comorbidities and cancer, among others; and more medical equipment such as wheelchairs and stretchers.

The agency said it will also provide other specialty care needs like dialysis and mental health services.

The DOH said it will also coordinate with the Department of Justice to push for the approval of the health assessment of terminally ill patients. It also aims to provide 100% coverage of the healthcare services needed by the female PDLs.

“Ang issue lang talaga kasi ay there are certain legal processes na kailangang i-undergo ng mga inmates natin doon in order for them to be able to access immediate services, kasi hindi sila pwedeng bastang ilalabas,” Vergeire said.

(The only issue here is that there are certain legal processes that our inmates have to undergo in order for them to be able to access immediate services, because they cannot just be released.) — BM, GMA Integrated News