CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is promoting the well-being of women through its various benefit packages.

During the "Kababaihan Para sa Kalambuan" talk show spearheaded by the Department of Tourism-10, PhilHealth-10 Public Affairs Unit (PAU) head Merlyn Ybañez said PhilHealth ensures that pregnant women are well taken care of during their pregnancy stage under the maternity care package.

The said package is set at P6,500 if availed of in accredited hospitals and P8,000 in birthing homes or maternity clinics. It consists of essential health services during the antenatal period, labor, normal delivery, and immediate postpartum period. For caesarian deliveries in hospitals, it is set at P19,000 

Ybañez stated that the maternity care package requires at least four prenatal visits during pregnancy to detect and manage possible signs of complications and reduce the risk of perinatal deaths. If members do not receive the recommended prenatal services, they are still entitled to the package for normal delivery, which includes postpartum care.

The PAU head also shared the financial assistance to aid women with cancer diseases under the Z Benefit packages. These include early-stage breast cancer (up to Stage 3) amounting P100,000. Those with cervical cancer can also get benefits based on their treatment options.

Ybañez emphasized that women's rights must not be taken for granted. "We have a right to know the correct information, we have a right to know the benefits of PhilHealth, and we also have the right to use and avail of such benefits," she said. (APB/PIA-10)