PNoy launches DOH, PhilHealth medical aid programs

President Benigno Aquino III jointly launched on Monday the Department of Health’s Rota Virus Vaccine campaign and the PhilHealth’s Type Z Benefit Package.

 

“Just as fighting corruption and poverty are the means to ensure a healthier, fairer, and more prosperous society, so too will programs like these help improve our public health system,” said Aquino. 

 

Over 3,500 children die from diarrhea each year, said Aquino during the Rota Virus Vaccine campaign portion of the launch. Rota virus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea and vomiting in infants and children below five years old. It is the second leading killer among children below five years old.

 

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said that the DOH will start the campaign by vaccinating infants born from April 2012 to April 2013.

 

The campaign will initially benefit some 700,000 newborns from the 5.2 million families identified as “poorest of the poor” by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

 

Meanwhile, PhilHealth’s Type Z Benefit Package will give aid to cancer patients by fully covering their medical expenses from surgery to post-operation care until therapy. 

 

Aquino said that for 2012, PhilHealth has allotted P3 billion for the Z benefit package; P1.3 billion of which will be used for the treatment of 12,000 people afflicted with either breast cancer, childhood leukemia or prostate cancer.

 

PhilHealth will shoulder P100,000 for breast cancer, P210,000 for standard risk childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia, and P100,000 for prostate cancer.

 

The benefit package can be availed of in 22 hospitals nationwide. 

 

Aquino however said that this is only the initial implementation of the program, as PhilHealth will expand its coverage in the coming months. — Aileen Estoquia, DVM, GMA News