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Friday, March 29, 2024

Boxers to get free CT scan, MRI, says health secretary

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DAVAO City—Health secretary Rosell-Ubial was not just a special guest speaker during the Philippine Boxing Convention in Davao City. He also brought with her an early Christmas gift that will make life easier for Filipino boxers and their managers.

Ubial, speaking yesterday before hundreds of boxing stakeholders at the Marco Polo Hotel in this city, declared that boxers under the Games and Amusement Board may avail of the free medical facilities of government hospitals for their requirements to get license from the government regulatory for professional sports.

This means that boxers will not have to spend a single cent for their annual physical and medical check-up, including CT Scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging procedures, which are required by the GAB for granting licenses.

GAB chairman Baham Mitra said the GAB lawyers are drafting the Memorandum of Agreement between the GAB and the DOH for its implementation as soon as possible and for the mandates to be funded in the current and forthcoming national government budgets.

“This is a development that the boxing industry has been asking for as confirmed by former GAB officials and we’re so thankful for this historic announcement that will change the landscape of Philippine professional boxing, which will surely increase the number of boxers,” said Mitra.

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The GAB had previously made the request from the DOH through writing although the secretary said she was unaware of the letter.

There are more than 1,000 licensed boxers at the GAB. The prohibitive cost of undergoing such procedures had discouraged a lot of boxers to renew their licenses.

Filipino boxers, including Donnie Nietes (third from left), will now have free medical services when they renew their license at the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), courtesy of the Department of Health. Nietes receives his Excellence award from GAB officials led by chairman Baham Mitra (extreme right) and commissioners Edward Trinidad and Fritz Gaston.

In Metro Manila, a CT scan costs around P2,500. In cities outside of the NCR, a CT scan could cost as much as PhP P4,500 to P6,500, while an MRI generally costs P6,500 or more depending on the extent.”

Mitra said the GAB will provide the list of boxers to the DOH, which in turn, will provide copy to its regional offices so that the free services will be accessible for those living in the provinces and they don’t have to go to Manila to save time and money.

“The biggest hindrance to the increase of pro boxers licensing is the strict and sometimes prohibitive medical requirements. The announcement (by Ubial) opens up the doors to not-so well off but very deserving boxers. This development is the biggest breakthrough in Philippine pro boxing.”

Ubial also proposed “to extend Philhealth coverage to all boxers & their families by granting full government subsidy as part of the country’s vulnerable population.””©”©

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