LEGAZPI CITY, July 24 -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in Bikol is targeting at least 85 percent coverage of the region's population with health insurance protection.
Orlando Iñigo Jr., PhilHealth Bikol regional vice president, said the agency is geared towards ensuring all Bikolanos be covered by social health insurance.
This in accordance with the principles of universality and compulsory coverage as mandated by RA 7875 or The National Health Insurance Act of 1995 and RA 9241.
"This tall order is now what PhilHealth is hoping to accomplish on its way to the agency's 15th year anniversary in 2010," Iñigo said.
As of April 30 this year, Albay province has a total number of 281,258 enrolled members, including employees from the government and private sectors, to PhilHealth's programs such as Sponsored Program, Individually Paying Program, Lifetime Member Program and the Overseas Workers Program.
"This figure is actually 138.3 percent of the total baseline set for the province's enrollment," he said.
Records also showed that Sorsogon province follows the uptrend to universal coverage, covering a total number of 101,016 members for all the programs
"That is 92.1 percent of the 109,656 potential members in the province," he said.
Meanwhile, the island province of Catanduanes already covers around 90 percent of its population with social health insurance, ensuring 32,123 residents and their dependents.
On the other hand, Camarines Norte has an enrollment that covers 78 percent of its population which is translated as 68,185 members plus their dependents who can enjoy the PhilHealth benefits.
Camarines Sur was able to cover 51.4 percent of their population which is only 148,879 out of the 289,701 identified potential members of PhilHealth.
Due to limiting factors, particularly geographical in nature, Masbate province only has 43,529 members or only 34.8 percent of its people are covered by PhilHealth.
"With this statistics at hand, truly there are still areas for collaboration as we seek more partnerships with our stakeholders in the implementation of our programs," he said.
He said the Sponsored Program, which is considered as the heart of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), continues to seek for alliances as PhilHealth recognizes the need to extend its services to the marginalized sectors of the society.
"On this note, we, at PhilHealth Bikol, would like to exert all possible means to ensure that the sustainable, affordable and progressive health care service that Bikolanos deserve is delivered," he said.
The PhilHealth Bikol chief is also appealing to all local chief executives across the region to enroll every household, particularly the underprivileged, to the health care program.
"We strengthen more our linkages with our partners and we are optimistic that soon enough there will be no more Bikolanos who will pose in despair for financial difficulties in seeking health care services," he added. (PNA)