During a visit to the Integrated Provincial Hospital Office (IPHO) in Maguindanao, Department of Health (DOH) secretary Paulyn Jean Rossel-Ubial shared that impoverished Filipinos no longer need to worry about how to pay for their hospital and medicines because, in 2017, the DOH will be shouldering these expenses.
"There’s no need to hold any card of PhilHealth, just prove to us you are a Filipino, you are entitled to be covered by health benefits, the PhilHealth will take care of the hospital billings and other concerns," said Secretary Ubial, crediting that the increase of funds given by the Budget department for the DOH's ability to offer free hospitalization and medicine this coming year.
Free medicine will also be available in 2017
According to a GMA News report, last November, the DOH received the arrears of 32 Billion of the 42 Billion pesos Philhealth still owes them.
"This the is first time in [DOH] history ... President Duterte has exerted all efforts and expect changes in the next days ... poor patients will leave hospitals with no billings balance,” Ubial continued. She also revealed that free medicine will be made available with the help of other government agencies, such as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
She also shared how President Duterte assured her that he will take care of the money so long as she "cares for the poor".
The DOH chief was in Maguindanao as a special guest at the inauguration of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO)-Maguindanao's first ever CT scan machine.
READ: DOH: Free maintenance medication for hypertension and diabetes starting 2016
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