FORMER Health secretary and House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin said on Thursday that free maintenance medications for people who have diabetes and hypertension should be provided, adding that it should be among the focuses for the 2025 budget in healthcare.
This is following the statement of House Speaker Martin Romualdez that the chamber will ensure enough funding for health on the proposed P6.352 trillion budget for the year 2025.
“Maintenance medications ng diabetes at hypertension, that’s very important. Ipatuloy ang Medical Assistance Program (MAP),” Garin said in a press conference when asked about those issues in healthcare that should have allocation.
“Kapag ang gastusin ng kalusugan ay naiibsan substantially, hindi lamang ng PhilHealth, ang mangyayari dyan—‘yung taumbayan makakagalaw, makaka-contribute sa economy,” the Iloilo First District said, adding that they are also looking forward to a free cancer treatment.
MAP has been assisting individuals with health-related problems seeking financial help, which is embedded on the premise of augmenting their funds. It is in partnership with government and private hospitals, health facilities, medicine retailers, and other partners.
During her leadership in the Department of Health (DOH), she provided free medicines for diabetes such as Metformin while Amlodipine, Losartan, and Metoprolol were given for hypertension.
Meanwhile, Garin reminded the public to practice healthy lifestyle choices and avoid unhealthy habits such as physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
“Pinakamahalaga pa rin na panatilihin malusog ang ating kalusugan, tiyakin na may sapat na ehersisyo, at balanced diet para ang mga sakit tulad ng diabetes at hypertension ay maiwasan,” Garin, also a doctor, ended.
