The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will provide a free annual mammogram and ultrasound services for Filipino women starting this July as a priority program of the Marcos administration, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez disclosed.
Romualdez made the disclosure as the world celebrates National Women’s Month following a meeting with
PhilHealth officials headed by its president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr.
This was before the Speaker left the country to join President Marcos for a five-day visit to Germany and the Czech Republic.
“I commend PhilHealth for their swift action in responding to our call to provide free mammogram and ultrasound examinations to our women.
This initiative reflects the commitment of the administration of President Marcos to prioritize the health and well-being of Filipino women, ensuring access to crucial preventive care,” Romualdez said.
“This is the best news we can give to the Filipino women, especially during Women’s Month,” he added.
Romualdez, along with House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, met with PhilHealth officials Monday tofollow up on Congress’ request for annual free mammograms and ultrasounds for women.
Also present during the meeting were lawyer Eli Dino Santos, PhilHealth executive vice president and chief operating officer; Renato Limsiaco Jr., senior vice president of the Fund Management Sector; and Dr. Francisco Sarmiento III, chief of program management team for primary care provider network.
“We will deliver. We will not fail you; we need to deliver. We are really confident that we will be able to fulfil your request,” Ledesma assured the Speaker.
Romualdez stressed that the free mammogram and ultrasound services would definitely have a positive impact on the health and well-being of the Filipino women.
“Early detection is key in addressing various health concerns, and by removing financial barriers to these essential services, PhilHealth ishelping to save lives and promote a healthier future for our women,” Romualdez said.
The Speaker expressed optimism that the free services from PhilHealthsignal the start of an enhanced relationship between Congress and the agency in their shared responsibility to deliver basic healthcare services to the public.
“As representatives of the people, we are sensitive to the needs of our constituents, we are sensitive to the needs of our people.
Together, through collaborative efforts and initiatives, we can work towards achieving better health outcomes and a brighter future for all Filipinos as envisioned by President Marcos,” Romualdez said.
Ledesma said PhilHealth was “more than willing to cooperate and respond to the request of the House leadership.”
Following the Speaker’s call for increased benefits to its members, PhilHealth announced a 1,400 percent increase in the “Z benefit package” for breast cancer patients, raising the package from P100,000 to P1.4 million.
Last week, Tulfo relayed Romualdez’s message to expedite the provision of free mammograms, ultrasounds, and other tests for women in time for the celebration of National Women’s Month during the hearing of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on Senior Citizens, and Special Committee on Persons with Disabilities regarding discounts and benefits for senior citizens and PWDs.