PhilHealth data shows rising number of children with developmental disabilities

The number of children with developmental disabilities has been increasing, according to the data from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

”Sa aming tala, tumataas din iyong prevalence or iyong incidence ng mga developmental disabilities, kagaya po diyan iyong autism, iyon pong cerebral palsy, iyong iba-iba pong mga global disability,” said PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado in an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

(In our records, the prevalence or incidence of developmental disabilities—such as autism, cerebral palsy, and various global developmental delays—is rising.)

Mercado noted that the growing incidence of developmental disabilities could be attributed to present-day environmental changes.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the doubling of PhilHealth benefit packages for children with developmental disabilities to expand coverage for consultations and therapy sessions.

“Para mapaganda pa ang suporta natin sa mga batang may developmental disabilities, dodoblehin natin ang PhilHealth package para sa pagpapatingin at sa therapy,” Marcos said.

(To further enhance our support for children with developmental disabilities, we will double the PhilHealth package for consultations and therapy.)

He also announced that the number of therapy sessions covered by PhilHealth would increase from 90 to 150 per year.

“Dadamihan din natin mula 90 hanggang 150 ang bilang ng therapy sessions na sakop ng PhilHealth,” Marcos added.

(We will also increase the number of PhilHealth-covered therapy sessions from 90 to 150.)

PhilHealth said this assistance will be a significant help to families of children who require therapy to improve their condition.

“Malamang po ay mayroon ding mga kasama sa bahay na nag-aalaga, Mayroon pong kailangang mag-skip ng kanilang trabaho para po dalhin ang ating mga pasyente sa ating mga rehab centers,” Mercado said.

(More often than not, family members have to act as caregivers, with some even having to skip work to bring patients to rehabilitation centers.)

Mercado added that expanding the PhilHealth package aims to address patient needs and focus on early detection and intervention.

“Ang nais po namin ay matugunan po at mabigyan ng maagang lunas itong ating mga nakikitang may developmental disability para din po maging independent somehow ang ating mga pasyente kapag naagapan at nabigyan ng lunas maaga pa lang doon sa kanilang pagkaka-detect nitong kanilang developmental disability,” Mercado said.

(We want to address and provide early intervention for those diagnosed with developmental disabilities so our patients can attain some level of independence once their condition is detected and treated early.)

According to PhilHealth, the expanded maximum of 150 therapy sessions per year covers occupational therapy, physical therapy, consultations with developmental pediatricians or child psychologists, and therapy sessions.

For its part, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) expressed support for Marcos’ SONA announcement to double PhilHealth coverage packages and increase the number of covered therapy sessions.

“The NCDA recognized that such an initiative will not only bring immense relief to children with disabilities and their families, but will also serve as a crucial step toward a more inclusive healthcare system that leaves no one behind,” the NCDA said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The Council also strongly urges the immediate implementation of a strengthened and robust healthcare system that prioritizes all Filipinos with disabilities,” it added.—VAL, GMA News