PhilHealth members urged to avail of ‘konsulta’ package

CEBU, Philippines — The members of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) are encouraged to register and avail themselves of the Konsulta Package.

The package includes targeted health risk screening and assessment, initial and follow-up consultations, standard laboratory tests and 21 essential drugs and medicines including anti-hypertensive listed in the Philippine National Formulary.

PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. stressed the importance of preventive care, encouraging Filipinos to register and avail themselves of the PhilHealth Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama or Konsulta Package.

“Layunin ng PhilHealth Konsulta na maagang makita ang anumang karamdaman at maagapan ang paglala ng sakit gaya ng hypertension. Kasama sa paketeng ito ang konsultasyon, health screening, laboratory at mga gamot,” Ledesma said.

Ledesma said that on the first consultation, there is a health risk assessment wherein a member who is hypertensive, she or he will be given medicines and monitor her or his illness.

“Sa ganitong paraan ay maiiwasan ang paglala ng karamdaman. Mahalaga ang primary care dahil makakaiwas tayo sa magastos na gamutan,” Ledesma said.

Ledesma also urged members to use the benefits of their Konsulta Package.

“Upang makaiwas tayo sa mas magastos na gamutan bunga ng paglala ng kondisyon ng pasyente sa mga sakit na maaari namang maagapan gaya ng mataas ng presyon ng dugo,” Ledesma added.

Meanwhile, PhilHealth also enjoined all Filipinos to be informed about hypertension.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is when the pressure of one’s blood vessels is too high or reaches 140/90 mmHg or higher. Risk factors include older age, genetics, obesity, physical inactivity, high-salt diet, and excessive alcohol intake.

Based on the Philippine Heart Association’s PRESYON 3 survey, 12 million Filipinos suffer from hypertension where 65 percent are aware of their condition, 37 percent are on treatment while 13 percent already have reached their target blood pressure.

Ledesma further assured that PhilHealth is paying P9,000 for confinements due to hypertension in accredited Levels 1 to 3 hospitals. — (FREEMAN)