29 Marso 2024, Biyernes

Biyernes Santo

supports Fire Prevention Month

deepest sympathy to family of the late Danilo Halili

deepest sympathy to family of the late Mario Cruz

deepest sympathy to family of the late Elyn Ocampo

supports Women Month March

joins Christian nations in observance of Lenten season

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

PhilHealth to cover ultrasound, mammogram in Konsulta package

By Nidz Godino

“This will ensure sustainable financing of preventive health services that can catch cancer and other conditions early, so that we can unload higher level hospitals within  health care provider network,” Department of Health (DOH) chief Teodoro Herbosa chairs  PhilHealth board of directors, has ordered  Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to include ultrasound and mammogram services in its primary care benefit package. 

DOH said Herbosa has directed  state health insurer to add these screening services to  current Konsulta package.

Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said in 2023 that breast and cervical cancer screening was “extremely low” in the country. Breast and cervical cancer top  list of cancers affecting Filipino women.

Government  think tank attributed  low screening rate to lack of funds, especially for  poor. Many also fear finding out that they have cancer and go for screening only when they are already suffering from symptoms. 

Data showed  27,000 new cases of breast cancer are reported each year, while 9,000 women die annually.