By Macon Ramos-Araneta
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) president and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. has called on Filipinos to register and avail of the PhilHealth Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama or “Konsulta Package.”
The PhilHealth Konsulta Package includes targeted health risk screening and assessment, initial and follow-up consultations, standard laboratory tests and 21 essential drugs and medicines including anti-hypertensives listed in the Philippine National Formulary such as enalapril, metoprolol, amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide and losartan.
All PhilHealth members are encouraged to register and avail themselves of the Konsulta Package. Registration may be done through self-registration via the member portal at www.philhealth.gov.ph or at any PhilHealth Local Insurance Offices in their area.
Ledesma also assures that PhilHealth is paying P9,000 for confinements due to hypertension in accredited Levels 1 to 3 hospitals.
Ledesma issued the statements in In observance of Hypertension Awareness Month this May.
PhilHealth has enjoined all Filipinos to be informed about hypertension.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is when the pressure of one’s blood vessels is too high or reaches 140/90 mmHg or higher. Risk factors include older age, genetics, obesity, physical inactivity, high-salt diet, and excessive alcohol intake.
Based on the Philippine Heart Association’s PRESYON 3 survey, 12 million Filipinos suffer from hypertension where 65% are aware of their condition, 37% are on treatment while 13% already have reached their target blood pressure.
