LEGAZPI CITY, April 21 (PNA) - PhilHealth Bikol vice president and regional director Orlando Iñigo, Jr. announced that members and dependents can now enjoy the New In-Patient Benefit Package effective this month if they are victims of Salmonella and in conditions when hospitalization is needed.
Iñigo noted that the occurrence of the salmonella alarm in several places in and outside the Philippines scares the public as it displays serious conditions caused by severe infections which are dangerous and could be fatal.
In a study reviewed by Dr. Dan Rutherfood, it was revealed that Salmonella bacteria attack the stomach and intestines. They enter the lymph tracts, which carry water and protein to the blood, and the blood itself. The bacteria harm all age groups and both sexes. Children and the elderly and people who are already ill are much more likely to get a serious infection.
Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning include diarrhea or constipation, headaches, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, fever and possibly blood in feces. A more severe infection may cause excessive diarrhea, stomach cramps and general health problems.
Consultation with health professionals is necessary and hospitalization in some cases is required for the treatment of the said symptoms.
Iñigo said that Salmonella poisoning is classified as a Case Type A illness, therefore, if a patient is confined in a Tertiary or Level 3 hospital, PhilHealth will shoulder P500 per day for the Room and Board, and for the duration of the confinement the Corporation shall allocate P4,200 for the compensable medicines and P3,200 for the required laboratory procedures.
Also included in the PhilHealth Benefit Package are the Professional Fees (PF) for PhilHealth accredited physicians. If the attending physician is a General Practitioner, a maximum amount of P1,200 is deducted from the doctor's PF.
However, if the physician is a specialist, the amount of P2,000 is deducted from his/her PF as the corresponding PhilHealth benefit," Iñigo added.
"With the PhilHealth benefits during confinement, it is still best to safeguard ourselves from illnesses and diseases. Salmonella infections can be prevented by observing proper food handling and preparation," he advised.