Changing Perspectives: Making health care accessible to the poor

"If a family member falls ill, getting immediate medical attention is a privilege given only to those who can afford."

This is one of the most common notions among the less-privileged in society and Lisa is among the many who believes so. In an interview, she shared her personal views on access to health care and how a recent experience proved her otherwise.

Flordeliza “Lisa” Tabuyog, 35, hails from Brgy. Central, Mati City, in the province of Davao Oriental. As a mother of four, Lisa admits to the struggle of raising her children and sending them to school while making ends meet altogether.

Her husband, Leonerio, works ‘round the clock as a tricycle driver just to make sure he puts enough food on the table. Lisa helps by occasionally rendering laundry services to her neighbor.

Just recently, Leonerio started to complain about an unusual pain at his back. He dismissed the idea of seeking medical attention, certain that this could just hamper his daily routine at work.

This was the case for several days until the discomfort grew unbearable that Leonerio could barely sleep or move around.

This prompted Lisa to accompany her husband to the nearest district hospital where the doctor found the need to schedule him for an operation to remove the cyst that grew precariously at his back.

At the moment, the couple was in a dilemma: How could they possibly pay for the medical expenses?

“Siyempre operahan diay siya, nabalaka mi kay wala mi kabalo asa mukuha ug kwarta.” (We were worried on how to generate money for the operation), Lisa shared.

The story, however, took an unexpected twist.

It was when the hospital staffmember asked if either of them where PhilHealth members that an already restless Lisa remembered that she is and, as a matter of fact, had her PhilHealth ID with her.

Lisa is among those identified under Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) and listed in her Member Data Record (MDR) among her qualified dependents is husband, Leonerio.

“Pagdawat nila sa akong ID ug MDR, ana sila na wala na mi bayaran jud kay covered na daw ang among tanan magasto.”(When they checked our ID and MDR, we were informed that we don’t have to shell out money because our expenses were already covered.), she recalled.

This holds true since Lisa’s family is among the 14.7 million indigent families enrolled in PhilHealth and whose coverage had been renewed for the year. They are entitled to the ‘no balance billing’ or walang dagdag bayad policy when availing of PhilHealth benefits in ward-type accommodation of government hospitals.

Seeing the urgency to remedy his condition, Leonerio underwent cyst excision earlier than scheduled and was even given take-home medication; this, without having to shell out a single peso from his pocket.

In an interview with the couple who were delegates for PhilHealth’s Alaga Ka activity in Mati City, they expressed their deepest gratitude given their situation.

“Nagpasalamat mi kay lisod na kaayo ang panahon karon pero aduna diay jud pwede makatabang namo pag magkasakit mi.”(We are thankful because we can now rely on this if we get sick and hospitalized.), they said.

Now, Leonerio is recovering fast and is expected to go back to his work anytime soon.

Lisa also regarded the efforts of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in their poblacion who do regular rounds to ensure that their coverage is renewed and that they are able to maximize the health care benefits due them. Her children have likewise availed themselves of free check-up and diagnostic tests through PhilHealth’s TseKaP package.

Asked if she still believes that access to medical services is accessible only to the rich, Lisa shook her head in objection.

“Not anymore.”

Her change in perspective gave her a restored sense of relief, knowing that she and her family and those like her are socially secured and protected with their rights to an equal share of health care benefits.

Meanwhile, PhilHealth, through its multi-sectoral campaign dubbed as Alaga Ka Para sa Maayos na Buhay, is in constant drive towards educating and empowering the poor in the farthest reaches of the country with their health care benefits. (Kleah Dublin, PAU-PROXI)