BAGUIO CITY – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) successfully conducted the PhilHealth Konsulta (Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama) Caravan at SM Baguio on March 12, 2024. The event aimed to discuss the PhilHealth Konsulta Benefit Package and encourage every Filipino to register.
The PhilHealth Konsulta Package provides various services, including checkups or consultations, health risk screenings and assessments, and 13 selected laboratory and diagnostic tests. These tests cover crucial areas such as complete blood count, urinalysis, fecalysis, sputum microscopy, fecal occult blood, pap smear, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS), oral glucose tolerance test, electrocardiogram or ECG, chest X-ray, creatinine, and HbA1c test.
Moreover, the package includes 21 selected maintenance drugs and medicines for hypertension, diabetes, colds, asthma, and more, addressing the pressing need for accessible medications, especially among senior citizens.
Through the PhilHealth Konsulta package, all Filipinos gain access to primary care facilities. This enables them to seek consultation from their preferred accredited Konsulta provider, maintain their well-being, and seek early detection of potential diseases, even without hospital confinement.
Dra. Dominga Gadgad, CAR Regional Vice President, emphasized, “The implementation of PhilHealth Konsulta Package, in active collaboration with the local government of Baguio, aligns with the mandates set forth by the Universal Health Care Law to establish a comprehensive primary health care benefit package that meets the evolving health care needs of our members.”
Hon. Lourdes Beatrice Tabanda, Chairperson on Health, Sanitation, Ecology, and Environmental Protection, further explained, “The Konsulta package aims to ensure that every citizen is healthy, and while they receive services, they also contribute to the city’s finances through the special health fund. PhilHealth will contribute 500 pesos to the special health fund for those who comply with the first-person-encounter and other requirements.”
She has also mentioned that the city has allocated 5 million pesos to subsidize membership for citizens of Baguio who don’t have the means to pay monthly. However, citizens still need to be involved in registering and encouraging others to do the same.
Dra. Gadgad reiterated, “The men and women of PhilHealth remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure that no one is left behind in healthcare,” expressing PhilHealth’s dedication to upholding equitable access to quality healthcare.
The PhilHealth Konsulta empowers individuals to take charge of their health and make informed choices about their primary care needs, preventing health risks beforehand. As PhilHealth continues with such endeavors, its goal to create a healthier and more resilient society for generations to come remains steadfast. By Hazel Rose Infante
