PhilHealth expands dialysis treatment coverage

Local

FOR patients battling chronic kidney disease, the struggle is not only with their health but also with the steep cost of treatment.

Dialysis, which must be done three times a week, often drains both finances and energy.

A much-needed relief came when the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) expanded its coverage nationwide, making dialysis treatments free throughout the year.

From the previous 90 sessions, the agency now shoulders up to 156 hemodialysis sessions annually—enough for patients to complete the standard thrice-a-week procedure without paying out of pocket.

The package also covers necessary medicines.

The agency raised its financial assistance for kidney transplants as well, increasing support from P600,000 to P2.1 million.

Post-surgery services and maintenance medicines now fall under PhilHealth’s coverage, alongside outpatient services and emergency care.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced these expansions in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, underscoring the administration’s push to strengthen universal health care.

In Central Visayas, PhilHealth rolled out the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (Yakap) on August 21 at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

Yakap, the enhanced Konsulta package, focuses on preventive care by assigning every Filipino a dedicated physician for regular monitoring and early detection of illnesses.

PhilHealth Central Visayas Vice President Marjorie Cabrieto said 240 accredited Yakap clinics now operate across the region, offering more medicines, additional laboratory tests, and cancer screening.

Vicente Sotto’s Cancer Center is also set to provide screening under the program.

The Cebu launch followed the program’s national introduction in Metro Manila on July 25.

Officials said the initiative aims to reduce hospitalizations and keep Filipinos healthier through preventive and primary care.

For 40-year-old Ryan Gabreza of Barangay Busay, Cebu City, the changes are life-changing. Living with chronic kidney disease, he undergoes dialysis three times a week.

“Free na ang dialysis karon mao nga mapasalamaton ra gihapon ko,” he said, thankful that his sessions are now fully covered.

A PhilHealth member since 2012, he added that the expanded support helps not only him but countless others who rely on dialysis to live.(MyTVCebu)