BONG GO SECURES PHILHEALTH’S COMMITMENT TO INCLUDE IN ITS SERVICES: FREE EYEGLASSES, EXPANDED DENTAL CARE, AND ASSISTIVE DEVICES LIKE WHEELCHAIRS

AT a Senate hearing on Wednesday, October 2, presided over by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, new commitments were secured from key health agencies, including PhilHealth and the Department of Health (DOH), to expand their health benefit packages. These expansions will soon include free eyeglasses and wheelchairs for Filipinos in need, as well as improved access to dental services.

In his opening statement, Go underscored the need for accessible healthcare for all Filipinos, focusing on the gaps in the current health services, particularly in dental and vision care. “Marami pong klaseng sakit… Ang dami pang serbisyo na pwedeng i-avail ng Pilipino, na hindi nila alam saan sila lalapit,” he remarked, pointing out that many Filipinos, especially in rural areas, lack access to basic health services.

Go cited a study from the Philippine Eye Research Institute, reflecting that around two million Filipinos are visually impaired. The study also found that 9% of kindergarten kids and 16% of high school students are affected with visual impairments.

The senator also noted that, in terms of oral health, seven out of 10 Filipinos, or 72 percent of the population, have dental caries or tooth decay, according to the Philippine Dental Association.

Go then called attention to the dire state of dental health in the provinces, citing instances where people are forced to use thread to remove teeth due to the lack of proper dental services.

He urged PhilHealth and the DOH to include more comprehensive dental services in their benefit packages.

Dr. Ronaldo Nuñez, president of the Philippine Dental Association (PDA), echoed Go’s call for a shift towards preventive dental care instead of the usual focus on extractions. He emphasized the need for establishing a standard for oral healthcare that includes preventive measures like sealants for permanent teeth.

Nuñez also pointed out that government dentists, during community outreach programs, are often directed to perform extractions, neglecting the more critical aspect of prevention that could address dental issues before they worsen. This, he argued, limits the overall impact of dental missions on long-term oral health.

Go responded by stressing the importance of maximizing existing health facilities, such as the 600 plus Super Health Centers funded through the DOH that he advocated for together with fellow lawmakers.

“Ang problema rito kung paano niyo i-maximize at gagamitin… Baka pwedeng dagdagan ng PhilHealth ‘yung libreng gamot doon sa mga basic dental services na pwede niyong mai-suporta,” he said.

DOH Undersecretary Molly Chiong also acknowledged the significance of incorporating dental services into the PhilHealth packages. She noted that to expedite the process, all accredited Konsulta Program facilities would automatically offer dental services.

Chiong highlighted the importance of including two oral prophylaxis procedures per year, along with fluoridation and sealants, as essential components of the expanded dental care package.

PhilHealth Executive Vice President Atty. Eli Santos committed to implementing this expanded dental package by the end of 2024. “It’s still our commitment… oral check-up, fluoridication, and prophylaxis,” he confirmed.

In addition to dental services, Go focused on the need for free eyeglasses for Filipino children struggling with vision problems, particularly those affecting their education.

“Ang daming mga bata nahihirapan magbasa…ba’t hindi niyo gawan ng mga benefit packages, mga programa na pwedeng mapakinabangan ng mga ordinaryong mamamayang Pilipino?” he urged.

Dr. Charlie Ho of the Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists (IPAO) explained the importance of early detection of vision problems, which are often misdiagnosed as learning disabilities.

PhilHealth’s Santos responded positively to the discussion, committing to include prescription glasses in their benefits packages by November 2024. “Mr. Chairperson…we already committed to cover the prescription glasses as part of PhilHealth packages,” he assured.

Another critical point raised during the hearing was the inclusion of wheelchairs and other assistive devices in PhilHealth’s benefits packages. This discussion was closely linked to Go’s advocacy for expanding the Konsulta Program, which aims to provide comprehensive preventive health services to Filipinos.

In response, PhilHealth officials acknowledged the importance of these devices and confirmed that they are working on including wheelchairs and other assistive tools in their packages. Go expressed his appreciation but urged further collaboration between PhilHealth, the DOH, and relevant organizations to ensure that these services reach those who need them most.

Throughout the hearing, Go emphasized the importance of collaboration among government agencies and professional health associations to deliver more effective and accessible health services.

“Importante talaga rito ang suporta ng PhilHealth dahil nasa kanila ang pera, nasa kanila ang pondo. The bottom line here is sino ang may kakayahan at may pondong sumuporta po dito sa mga medical services. That’s very basic, but you have to sit down and you have to talk it over. Pag-usapan niyo po ito between DOH facilities, nand’yan ‘yung pondo,” he urged, addressing both PhilHealth.

The discussion concluded with concrete commitments from both PhilHealth and the DOH to expand health services, particularly in dental and vision care, by the end of the year. The expansion of these services will ensure that more Filipinos, especially those in rural and underserved areas, have access to essential healthcare.