Free diabetes and hypertension meds

CEBU, Philippines - Starting January next year, patients with hypertension and diabetes can avail of free maintenance medicines from regional Rural Health Units (RHUs), the Department of Health said.

The patients can have access to DOH drugs for hypertension (Losartan, Amlodipine, Metroprolol) and diabetes (Metformin). The poorest patients needing insulin medicine for their diabetic condition will also be given access.

However, DOH-7 Regional Director Jaime Bernadas said to avail of free maintenance medicines patients should become members of the DOH Hypertension and Diabetes Club in RHUs in their localities.

A patient needs to undergo assessment and screening in the nearest health centers to be part of the DOH Hypertension and Diabetes Club.

Barangay health workers, on the other hand, will conduct the diagnosis in the RHUs before a patient can be enrolled in the club. Once diagnosed, the patient will be enrolled in the club.

The RHUs will furnish the DOH central office with the list of patients who joined the Hypertension and Diabetes Club for a database.

To ensure that BHWs can help in the monitoring and assessments, they will be provided with Blood Pressure Apparatus and Glucometer sets to measure sugar level.

DOH Secretary Jenette Garin earlier said the move was to help facilitate risk assessment of community members and ensure a regular follow-up of diagnosed hypertensive and diabetic patients.

As members, the patients will be included in the activities that promote healthy lifestyle so that their blood pressure and sugar level can be controlled.

The DOH wants to ensure that members of the club will be pro-active in preventing the complication of their illnesses

The program will initially be available among the poor sectors of the community seeking preventive checkup in the RHUs.

However, patients seeking consultation in private health facilities and who have various maintenance medicines and a lot of out-of-pocket expenditures may also join the club and also avail of free maintenance medicines.

The program was first launched in Pampanga on December 9, where participants with hypertension and diabetes were registered.

The program is part of the DOH effort in upgrading facilities and services nationwide in line with the goal of bringing the Universal Health Care Program or “Kalusugang Pangkalahatan” Health Agenda of the Aquino Administration to the Filipino people. — (FREEMAN)