PASAY CITY -- In a bid to continuously improve the delivery of health services and make hospital facilities more accessible to all, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go filed a measure mandating the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to provide free dialysis to all its members.
“Dahil masyadong mahal ang magpa-dialysis, ipaglalaban natin na maipasa ang panukalang ito na comprehensive dialysis benefit package para sa libreng dialysis ng lahat ng mangangailangang miyembro ng PhilHealth. Aatasan din nito ang PhilHealth na maging mahigpit sa pag-aanalisa ng mga claims na may kinalaman sa dialysis,” said Go.
Consistent with the provisions of the Universal Health Care Act in relation to increases in premium rates and benefits, the proposed “Free Dialysis Act of 2022” tasks PhilHealth, in consultation with the Health Technology Assessment Council, to develop a comprehensive dialysis benefit package which shall fully cover all costs of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis treatments, sessions and procedures done in PhilHealth accredited-health facilities.
Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go has been consistently pushing for strengthened government initiatives to improve the country’s health system especially in providing healthcare access to the countryside.
Last year, he virtually joined the turn-over ceremony for the new National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) Modular Hemodialysis Facility and dormitory. The new facility is equipped with 14 dialysis rooms, four hepatitis rooms and two isolation rooms to ensure the safety of the patients undergoing hemodialysis, their families and hospital staff. It is also able to accommodate up to 60 patients on a daily basis.
Apart from the proposed Free Dialysis Act, other health-related measures also make up the bulk of Senator Go’s priority bills filed in the 19th Congress. These include measures providing free annual medical check-up for all Filipinos and instituting the Emergency Medical Services System. He also filed a bill amending the Insurance Code to allow stricter supervision over Health Maintenance Organizations.
Meanwhile, to promote the welfare of the country’s healthcare workers, Go once again filed his Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) Compensation and Incentives Bill and his Advanced Nursing Education Bill. The senator likewise refiled his bills establishing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines.
“Napakahalaga sa akin ng kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Kaya marami sa mga prayoridad na panukalang batas na aking agad na inihain ay sa aspetong ito nakatutok,” remarked the senator.
Go also said he will continue pushing for more people-centered and service-oriented legislation, while ensuring non-stop public service delivery to those who need government attention the most.
“All my efforts are directed towards sustaining the gains that former President Rodrigo Duterte have achieved for the country during his term, while also supporting the programs and initiatives the new administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. have in store for every Filipino. I am hopeful that through unity, compassion, and our commitment to serve, we can ensure that no Filipino is left behind toward recovery,” he added. (OSBG)
