PhilHealth-12, partners reach out to IPs in Sultan Kudarat
HEALTH • 21:10 PM Sun Dec 23, 2018
1,025
By:
Hanah G. Naanep/PhilHealth PRO-III
IP members of Barangy Wasay, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, led by Jonalyn Mago (left) listen as a government representative explains health programs for them.
KALAMANSIG, Sultan Kudarat - The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in Region 12 has reached out to members of Indigenous Peoples to educate them of how to avail of their benefits under PhilHealth, a health insurance official said.Dr. Miriam Grace Pamonag, MD, PhiHealth-regional vice president, said the activity was a joint project of United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef) and other government agencies that cater to health and social services. We are PhilHealth members but we don’t know
our benefits and no idea how to avail of them, saidJonalyn Mago, an IP leader and resident of Barangay Wasay, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat.She revealed here sentiments during round table discussions withrepresentatives Unicef,Kalamansig Mayor Ronan Garcia and other officials, Department of Social Welfare and Development,PhilHealth-12, Cotabato Regional Medical Center (CRMC) and
others.Garcia said that the meeting was intentionally conducted to settle
the issue and to provide them the necessary response and support.
Since their basic problem
is more on the non-availability of their birth certificates and marriage
contracts, Garcia ordered free issuance of their legal documents by the Office
of his Local Civil Registrar (LCR).
They too shall
undergo on the job training with LCR in the process of registering their fellow
IPs since they will serve as the point person of said agency in their
respective community.
To help facilitate
their hospitalization needs, Cotabato Regional Medical Center representative,
Flordeliza Saliling requested the mayor to delegate an IP who would help their kinfolk
like what LGU Upi is doing with IP s
from their area.
DSWD 12 encouraged
them to attend regular meetings for regular updates not only about PhilHealth
but also other social services especially the program on 4Ps.
Being members under PhilHealth’s
Indigent Program, they are entitled to avail of free check-up, free diagnostic
services and free drugs and medicines.
They too can have
free hospitalization benefits in a government facility on a ward type of accommodation
under the No Balance Billing Policy with P-CARES to assist them during
admission.
To let them
understand further about other rules and regulations in terms of enrolment,
renewal and availment procedures, PhilHealth has set another schedule for thorough
orientation and for other possible mechanism of bringing the services closer to
them.
In response, Mago and her fellow leader thanked
UNICEF and others who have immediately given their immediate support and
concern.
UNICEF as the lead agency of this Alliance
for Improving Health Outcomes, Inc. (AIHO) recorded every commitment undertaken
by each agency for monitoring purposes.
Another collaborative meeting with the same
participants is set to be conducted by December this year.Pamonag said the IPs in Barangay Wasay are now fully informed how they can avail of PhilHealth services after the meeting. Similar activities are scheduled in other areas in the region, she said. (Hanah G. Naanep, PRO III)