REELCTED Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez today welcomed the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s expanded primary healthcare program aimed at improving access and lowering Filipinos’ out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
On Friday President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. launched PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program para Malayo sa Sakit (YAKAP) that enhanced the existing program to bring healthcare services closer to communities and reduce the need for hospital confinement.
Rep. Romualdez commended President Marcos for launching the program, calling it a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to deliver responsive and inclusive healthcare for all Filipinos.
“Ang kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan ay isang yaman na dapat inaalagaan ng pamahalaan. Ngunit alam natin ang kanilang mga hinaing – malayo ang ospital, mahaba ang mga pila, at mahal ang magpagamot,” said Rep. Romualdez.
“Walang mayaman o mahirap kapag ikaw ay nagkasakit. Kaya isang magandang hakbang ng ang paglulunsad ni Pangulong Marcos mas pinalawig na serbisyong pangkalusugan upang matulungan ang mga kapos-palad na mabigyang lunas ang kanilang mga karamdaman,” he added.
The Leyte lawmaker is optimistic that Philhealth’s YAKAP program, which improved access to primary healthcare services— including treatment, diagnostic exams, and medicines—as well as its focus shift from treatment to prevention, would make a significant impact on the health and well-being of Filipino families.
Under the YAKAP program -formerly the Konsulta package – Filipinos may now avail of 13 diagnostic tests and six cancer screening tests that include mammography, liver ultrasound, low-dose CT scan, and colonoscopy.
They can also avail of 75 medicines covered by the state health insurer, an improvement from the 54 medicines previously offered under the old package.
Rep. Romualdez also lauded Philhealth for the YAKAP program indicative of the state health insurer’s dedication to introducing innovations, particularly its emphasis on preventive healthcare as a long-term solution to the country’s health challenges.
“Ang Philhealth ay hindi lamang dapat ginagamit kapag ang pasyente ay kailangan nang maospital. Nararapat lamang na ang Philhealth ay nagagamit din ng pasyente para sa preventive healthcare para maagapan ang mga sakit bago pa ito lumala,” he said.
He likewise hailed the state health insurer and the Marcos administration for simplifying the registration process for the YAKAP program through various digital platforms such as the eGovPH mobile application, the Philhealth Member Portal (www.philhealth.gov.ph), or through Philhealth offices and Philhealth-accredited primary care providers across the country.
“For many Filipinos, affordable and accessible healthcare service is now as easy as a simple tap on their smartphones. This is what Bagong Pilipinas is all about – an encompassing mission to improve Filipinos’ welfare through better services and technology,” Rep. Romualdez added.
