PhilHealth officially has launched a new benefits package called Outpatient Therapeutic Care for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
The said benefit package aims to combat the malnutrition of Filipino children at their developmental stage.
PhilHealth announced the launch together with the Department of Health (DOH) and UNICEF.
This benefit package covers Anthropometrics and Clinical Assessment, counseling, and follow-up visits, among others. The beneficiaries will receive P7,500 for zero to less than 6-month-old children, and P17,000 for 6 to 60-month-old children.
UNICEF Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov noted that this initiative is the world’s first-ever Severe Acute Malnutrition primary care and social health financing package to be funded through a national health insurance agency.
PhilHealth chief Emmanuel Ledesma meanwhile highlighted the negative effect of SAM on the cognitive development of children.
“Severely malnourished children of school age develop substantial cognitive deficits that result in grade repetition. Even if they survive into adulthood, they are far less likely to be employed in the formal sector, and of nowhere earning potential, conditions that further perpetuate the cycle, for their children,” Ledesma said.
“In short, malnourished children are less likely to perform well in school, less likely to go on and be productive in the workforce, and more likely to be trapped in the cycle of poverty,” he added.
The benefit for OTC benefit package for severe acute malnutrition can be availed through PhilHealth-accredited facilities.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “PhilHealth launches benefit package to address Filipino youth malnutrition.”
