A senior citizen in Iloilo City finds his health his true wealth. He is thankful that he is able to seek medical consultation in an affordable way.

Edwin Lustria, the senior citizen, does it through YAKAP, or the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program, of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH).

Lustria availed of free consultation. Aside from the free consultation, he also received free medicines.

“Magastos kasi. Siguro P1,500 or P1,600 ang aking gamot. One week nga lang yan. Nakakatulong rin kahit konti,” Lustria said.

How can PHILHEALTH members and dependents avail of YAKAP?

First, it is essential to secure a PHILHEALTH identification number.

Next, seek registration through eGovph app on the PHILHEALTH Member Portal, or at any Local Health Insurance Office nationwide. Or one may go straight to a YAKAP clinic.

Beneficiaries may avail of laboratory test based on doctor’s recommendation, and get medicines from “gamot providers,” or partner-pharmacy depending on doctor’s prescription.

Medicines worth P20,000 can be availed by beneficiaries from the accredited pharmacy annually.

PHILHEALTH reminds beneficiaries to go back to the YAKAP clinic for follow-up consultation.

In Western Visayas, there are at least 212 YAKAP primary care facilities offering medical consultations, laboratory tests, cancer screenings, and access to about 75 essential medicines, 54 of which are newly added medicines.

As of this writing, it was pointed out that at least 21 medicines are available in YAKAP clinics.

“So meaning kung ang ating pasyente kailangan ng gamot sa hypertension, diabetes, upper respiratory infection, kung merong asthma, meron tayong gamot na available na sa ating YAKAP clinics,” said Janimhe Jalbuna, spokesperson of PHILHEALTH 6.