BY DWIGHT GUMAHIN, JHUN CARLO LUCERO & JERRY NIEL M. LORA /DNSC Interns
PHILHEALTH continues to strengthen the implementation of the Yaman ng Kalusogan Program (YAKAP) by expanding its primary care benefits, adding 54 new medicines in preventive medicine offerings.
Dr. Giannelle Kristine Remocaldo, PhilHealth XI Accreditation & Quality Assurance Section medical specialist, explained that the program aims to make these medicines free and accessible to its members, since they are pricier when purchased outside.
“We added more antibiotics and more maintenance medication, since their prices have increased, like Amoxicillin or Azethromycine because now there are so many with coughs and colds,” Remocaldo said.
Meanwhile, PhilHealth encouraged the members to utilize the YAKAP MAPS, so they could easily navigate their way around the closest accredited primary care providers and receive necessary healthcare services without delay.
Remolcaldo urged the members to register in a YAKAP-accredited facility and to complete the First Patient Encounter (FPE) to ensure unhampered access to free consultation, free diagnostic services, and essential medicines, all under the upgraded benefits.
Atty. Harvey L. Carcedo, regional vice president of PhilHealth XI, mentioned that their flagship program YAKAP is set to upscale the primary care benefit package, catering to ill patients and those scheduled for regular consultations.
“We can go to a YAKAP provider for a checkup even if you don’t have an illness if you just use your PhilHealth under the YAKAP program,’’ he stated.
PhilHealth also assured its members that the 21 existing essential medicines under YAKAP remained available in accredited outlets nationwide.
In totality, there are now 75 free medicines and 173 accredited and operational YAKAP facilities available in Davao Region.
