HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo is pushing the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to expedite the provision of free mammograms, ultrasounds, and other tests for women as we celebrate National Women’s Month.
In a hearing on Tuesday of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on Senior Citizens, and Special Committee on Persons with Disabilities regarding discounts and benefits for senior citizens and PWDs, Tulfo emphasized that women who are PhilHealth members should also receive free medical examinations.
“It was brought up (during last hearings) yung basic diagnostics, x-rays, ultrasound, ECG and particularly mammogram should be free courtesy of PhilHealth lalo na mga kababaihan particularly women’s month ngayon,” said Tulfo.
“Pwede po ba gawing libre na ang mammogram para sa mga kababaihan natin. I think nasa top five po ng causes of death ng Filipino women ang cancer of the breast,” Tulfo of ACT-CIS partylist added. Tulfo also emphasized that this was also the request of Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez of Tingog Partylist based on their discussions. “Ito ang napagkasunduan namin ni Rep. Yedda Romualdez sa aming pag-uusap na talagang dapat ay may libreng mga medical examinations ang mga kababaihang miyembro ng PhilHealth,” Tulfo added.
According to a report by Phil. Star in August 2023, there are up to 86,484 cancer cases in the Philippines. Out of this number, 27,163 are reported to be breast cancer cases each year. It also shows that 9,926 Filipino women have died from breast cancer, ranking third among the deadliest types of cancer in women.
PhilHealth Regional Office NCR Vice Pres. Bernadette Lico responded that they are already working on accommodating Tulfo’s request.
“Your recommendation for ultrasound and mammogram will be included later on kapag nagkaroon na po tayo ng comprehensive allocation benefit package,” Lico said.
However, Tulfo insisted that PhilHealth should expedite this process.
“Can we fast track it or can we do something about it kasi check-up will be a preventive measure para po sa ating mga kababaihan. Para yung mga kababaihan alam nila kung ano ang gagawin nila kung ma-detect ang kanilang sakit at an early stage then she can be treated,” Tulfo stated.
“Why not gawing libre kapag member siya ng PhilHealth. Kahit once a year lang na pwede po yung member magpa-checkup ng mammogram o kaya po ultrasound. Because it is badly needed by our women,” the lawmaker added.
Lico clarified that mammograms, ultrasounds, and other tests are already covered for PhilHealth members diagnosed with cancer, but Tulfo stressed that the free tests should be given to all female members, even they are not diagnosed with cancer.
“Wag naman po na librehin lang natin yung may cancer na dapat even before na magkasakit po ng cancer pwede po ba sagutin ng PhilHealth,” Tulfo insisted.
The PhilHealth official said that she will immediately relay Tulfo’s recommendation to their office and act on it promptly.
