Free hospital services for Pampanga TB patients

LUBAO, Pampanga — The provincial government has vowed to include tuberculosis (TB) patients in the no-balance billing policy being implemented in all government hospitals in this province.

Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda made the announcement during the assembly of more than 700 TB patients from Lubao, Floridablanca, Guagua, Sasmuan, Sta. Rita and Porac held at Lubao Gymnasium, recently.

The governor said TB patients should not hesitate visiting government/public hospitals as the said healthcare facilities offer free healthcare services.

Pineda also reminded the patients to religiously take their medicines for six months and have regular followup check-ups.

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Region 3 Vice President Walter Bacareza lauded the governor’s health programs and initiatives.

“Kami po sa PhilHealth sumusuporta sa lahat ng gastusin sa pagpapagamot. Meyroon po tayong sapat na pondo para bayaran ang pagpapagamot sa TB,” Bacareza said.

Bacareza added that TB patients can avail of the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) benefit package worth R4,000 in PhilHealth accredited TB-DOTS centers that offer free consultation, diagnostic exams, health counseling and medicines.

Bacareza emphasized that the benefits are available to all PhilHealth members and their qualified dependents that have tuberculosis and in need of medication.

Pampanga last year recorded a 93 percent tuberculosis treatment success rate.

The high success rate was made possible through the collaboration of the provincial government and the health department in extending help by providing financial and food assistance to all TB patients ongoing treatment to RHUs, monitoring the implementation of the TB in jail program, conducting sputum exam for inmates during entry and exit of the provincial jail, validating the monthly slide of TB laboratories, reviewing the program implementation of the municipalities and monitoring the pharmacy directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) initiative and TB in workplace referral system.

After the assembly, the governor together with Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab distributed financial assistance, a pack of vitamins and food assistance to the TB patients.

Also present during the event were board member Salvador Dimson Jr., Capitol department heads, hospital officials, PhilHealth Region 3 Branch A Manager Ruby Vitug and representatives from the Department of Health.