AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to include optometric services in the benefit coverage for its members and beneficiaries, stressing the importance of optometric interventions in preventing vision loss and improving the quality of life of millions of Filipinos.
Speaking at the 7th Annual Conference of the Philippine Society of Public Health and Occupational Optometry (PSPHOO) held on March 16, Lee said: “While vision problems can be easily corrected with glasses or contacts, many Filipinos lack access to affordable eye care, affecting their productivity.”
“Maraming bata ang pagkapanganak pa lang, may problema na sa mata, at milyon-milyon nating mga kababayan ang talagang apektado ang pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay dahil sa pagkabulag o malabong paningin,” the solon said.
“If we’re talking about productivity, if we’re talking about food security, we should also be addressing the eye problems of our countrymen, and consider this as a primary healthcare issue,” he added.
According to the Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists (IPAO), around 41.4 million of Filipinos need continuing eye and vision care, which include the number of the population with presbyopia and refractive errors.
The Bicolano lawmaker stressed that unaddressed vision impairment has severe consequences which range from delayed development in chidren to social isolation, depression, and economic hardship in adults.
Given the alarming number of Filipinos experiencing vision problems and blindness, Lee filed House Resolution No. 1623 urging the state health insurer to include optometric services under the benefit packages of PhilHealth.
“Inclusion of these services under PhilHealth would make essential eye care affordable and accessible for Filipinos, allowing early detection and treatment of eye conditions,” the solon pointed out in the House Resolution.
“It is crucial for the government to make efforts to increase the accessibility of optometrists’ services across the nation by utilizing mobile clinics, telemedicine, and community outreach initiatives, especially in isolated places through the support of PhilHealth,” he added.
Lee revealed that he wrote and already had initial discussions with PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. regarding the matter, noting that “while PhilHealth covers various opthalmology services like eye surgery, consultations, and screening for certain eye problems, it excludes optometry services, which can detect vision impairment, encompassing conditions like refractive errors and affecting people’s lives.”
“Clearly, timely eye care, with the help of PhilHealth, can mitigate the detrimental impact of vision impairment. Hindi natin ito tatantanan hangga’t hindi pa inaprubahan ng PhilHealth,” the lawmaker said.
“Winner Tayo Lahat kung accessible, abot-kaya at maagap ang pagtugon sa problema sa mata ng milyon-milyong Pilipino. Hindi lang nito mababawasan ang pangamba ng ating mga kababayan sa pagkakasakit sa mata at kawalan ng pantustos para maipagamot ito. Hindi lang ito magdudulot ng malinaw na paningin, kundi pati na rin ng maliwanag na kinabukasan para sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.
