72 PWDs in Baguio register in PhilHealth Konsulta Package
Seventy-two persons with disability (PWDs) availed of the registration for the “Konsulta Package” component of the Universal Health Care Act or Republic Act 112223 on-the-spot after undergoing orientation on the program conducted by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Baguio Local Health Insurance Office at City Hall recently.
Chief Social Insurance Officer Janet Palaez coordinated the orientation and registration activity with the City Persons with Disability Affairs Office Head Samuel Aquino as part of the information-education-communication (IEC) on the UHC.
Palaez said the Konsulta Package is a new benefit currently being implemented in the city which now has 10 accredited Konsulta providers where Philhealth members may opt to register to avail of said benefit.
“Our aim is to orient our PWD members on UHC and encourage them to avail of the Konsulta package. Prior to availability, we have to register them to a Konsulta Provider of their choice thus we need to orient them on the nitty gritty of the program,” Palaez said.
Early this year, ten of the city’s 16 district health centers have been issued licenses to operate as primary health care facilities (PCFs) which authorized them to deliver initial-contact, accessible, continuous, comprehensive and coordinated care to the communities they serve.
As such, they have also been accredited as “Konsulta” package providers and can now render individual-based health services including initial and follow-up primary care consultations, health screening and assessment and access to selected diagnostic services and medicines.
These are the district health centers of Asin headed by Medical Officer Dr. Anna Marie Banta; Atab under Dr. Carla Tabin; Atok Trail under Dr. Catherine Posadas; City Camp under Dr. Nelson Hora; Engineers Hill under Dr. Helen Colewan; Irisan under Dr. Vanessa Fagcangan; Lucban under Dr. Maria Lourdes Pakoy; Pacdal under Dr. Edna Tabooy; Pinsao under Dr. Elvira Belingon; and Quirino Hill under Dr. Marie Therese Sumbillo received their licenses from DOH Cordillera led by Regional Director Dr. Rio Magpantay, Licensing, Regulation and Enforcement Division Chief Dr. Virginia Narciso and DOH Baguio City Office DMO Jennifer Valenzuela during the City Hall flag-raising rites April 4.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said this is the result of the diligence of the City Health Service Office under Dr. Rowena Galpo in keeping the city’s public health care system responsive to the needs of the constituents.
He said the konsulta package is a relevant health program considering the challenge posed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and other illnesses.
The facilities satisfied the requirements set forth under DOH Administrative Order No. 2020-0047 or the Rules and Regulations Governing the Licensure of Primary Care Facilities in the Philippines in compliance with Section 27 of the UHC Act which mandates the DOH to “institute a licensing and regulatory system for stand-alone health facilities including those providing ambulatory and primary care services and other modes of health service provision.
The PCF regulation is part of the UHC Act’s goal to ensure that only safe and quality primary care services are being delivered to every Filipino. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
