Keynote Message By Dr. Francisco Soria, Vice President of the Quality Assurance Group, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
(PhilHealth)
PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma would like to send his congratulations to PHAP for the launching of its publication, The Power of Innovation: A Report on the Contributions of the Philippine Pharmaceutical Industry.
Let me begin with the powerful words from Martin Luther King Jr.: “We may have all come on different ships but we are in the same boat now. Together we can navigate any challenges that may come our way and steer towards a brighter, healthier future for our nation.”
I am pleased to know that today’s launch showcases the vital role that medicine and vaccine providers play in our country in developing safe and effective vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments against the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. It also captures your sense of commitment to healthcare service delivery to ensure better health outcomes for all Filipinos.
The demands on our healthcare system continue to evolve and it is imperative that we adapt and leverage cutting edge technologies and strategies to meet these challenges head on. Innovation and collaboration are the pillars on which our success as a healthcare system will rest.
We understand that the challenges we face in providing accessible and high-quality healthcare require fresh thinking and a united approach. Innovation is about developing novel solutions, streamlining processes, and adapting best practices that yield tangible results. We must explore innovative ways to enhance patient care, improve access to services and maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of our healthcare system.
COLLABORATION: KEY TO SUCCESS
Collaboration, on the other hand, is the key to a successful healthcare system. No single entity can achieve the level of success we seek on their own. It requires the collective efforts of private organizations, government agencies, healthcare providers and all stakeholders in the industry. Together, we can create synergy, tap into each other’s strengths, and amplify our impact exponentially.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) complements your determination to provide updates to our healthcare system, to promote high quality standard of medical services during and in the post-pandemic situation.
We are grateful that your association has been our partner for so long in promoting the health of every “Juan and Juana.”
PhilHealth plays a decisive role in ensuring that Filipinos wherever and whatever their social economic status, have access and readily available benefits in times of need.
As the primary strategic purchaser of health services, we will continue to adapt to the dynamic requirements of our health needs. As a financial intermediary and payor of health services, the state tells the insurer is paying more than 8,000 medical and surgical cases for members who are confined in accredited facilities.
BENEFIT PACKAGES
In light of the pandemic, PhilHealth developed COVID-19 packages to provide financial security to our kababayans hit by the COVID-19 virus.
These include the following benefits for patients who were confined due to COVID-19. There’s the COVID inpatient benefit packages.
PhilHealth also provided an isolation package for those who are isolated, for home isolation and for those who are isolated in community facilities.
They also shouldered COVID-19 tests for priority groups in accordance with the DOH guidelines. Over time, these packages have constantly been updated from plate-based RT-PCR to cartridge based RT-PCR.
Lastly, we also covered the rapid antigen test. These COVID-19 testing packages are available to members and they qualify dependents at accredited health facilities nationwide.
Moreover, individuals who suffered injury from the government’s vaccination program are eligible for the Vaccine Injury Compensation Package.
PhilHealth’s COVID-19 Vaccine Injury Compensation Package was created in line with Republic Act 11525 or the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, which mandates the creation of an indemnity fund for the coverage of serious adverse effects following immunization.
HEMODIALYSIS COVERAGE
As of February 2023, the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 paid some Php66.3 billion for COVID-19 benefit payments for 8.3 million claims and continually process COVID claims.
This year we are delighted to announce that the coverage for hemodialysis was institutionalized and expanded from 90 to 156 sessions.
Now, hemodialysis patients are going three times a week session are covered for a year, ensuring that our kababayans with chronic kidney disease stage 5 receive adequate treatment while waiting for their kidney transplantation which PhilHealth also covers.
With this benefit expansion, CKD-5 patients that are going through hemodialysis may avail of as much as Php405,600 worth of treatment per year.
PhilHealth has been instrumental in ensuring the accessibility and affordability of healthcare services for our citizens. Hence, the provided payment mechanisms called the debit credit payment method and interim reimbursement mechanism were provided to various healthcare institutions to assist them in the fight against COVID-19.
Under the IRM, the corporation released Php14.9 billion to 711 healthcare facilities, and this amount is already 100% liquidated. On the other hand, PhilHealth dispensed Php20.32 billion to 748 healthcare facilities under the debit credit payment mechanism. These are funds that can be used for the continuity of the daily operations of our accredited providers.
RESILIENCE, COMMITMENT
The outbreak of COVID-19 caught the entire world off guard, challenging our healthcare systems, economies, and our ways of life.
The Department of Health reports that as of October 3, 2023, 4.046 million out of 4.115 million Filipinos were reported as COVID-19 positive or 98.3% that recovered from the disease report interprets a positive outcome to the effectiveness of the vaccine, medical assistance in the healthcare system as a whole.
Amidst this global crisis, the healthcare sector from private and government rose to the occasion, demonstrating their resilience and commitment to the well-being of our nation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us of the critical importance of the Philippine healthcare industry and its remarkable contributions.
It is the tireless efforts of our dedicated healthcare providers and professionals and the innovation driven initiatives of our pharma industry that have led us to the threshold of recovery.
INVALUABLE LESSONS
The pandemic has also served as a powerful teacher, offering invaluable lessons that we must embrace.
The world witnessed an extraordinary level of cooperation between governments, healthcare providers, including pharmaceutical companies, to develop and distribute vaccines in record time.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to all the individuals and companies involved in administering controlling, developing, and manufacturing vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments for COVID-19.
Your unwavering dedication, expertise, and perseverance have undoubtedly saved countless, countless
lives and brought us closer to a brighter future. Together, we can create lasting solutions that will benefit our people and strengthen our healthcare system for years to come. Maraming salamat at mabuhay tayong lahat!
