Iloilo city: The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is making strides in enhancing its primary care services in Western Visayas through the YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Para Malayo sa Sakit) program. This initiative aims to increase the accreditation of providers, including pharmacies and cancer screening laboratories, to offer more comprehensive health services.

According to Philippines News Agency, Janimhe Jalbuna, head of the public affairs unit of PhilHealth in Western Visayas, highlighted the expansion during an interview. She explained that while the Konsulta program previously covered consultations, medicines, and laboratory services, the YAKAP program represents an expanded primary benefit package. As of June 15, PhilHealth Western Visayas has accredited 197 providers across the region, enhancing access to healthcare services.

Jalbuna further elaborated that providers under the Konsulta program would automatically transition to YAKAP providers, maintaining the same mechanisms for service availability. The region has registered over 2.6 million members and their dependents for the Konsulta program as of June 20, showcasing significant engagement with the community.

The YAKAP initiative will continue to offer free checkups, counseling, and referrals. Notably, the program has increased the availability of drugs and medicines from 21 to 75 options, with a maximum coverage of PHP20,000 per member and dependent for outpatient drugs annually. Additionally, the number of laboratory and cancer tests included in the package has increased from 13 to 19, covering screenings for breast, lung, liver, and colorectal cancer.

PhilHealth-6 is also working towards accrediting pharmacies for the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program. The development of the GAMOT application, a web-based tool for prescribing and monitoring medications, is underway and set to launch on August 21. Meanwhile, the expanded cancer screening services are expected to be available soon.