Enhanced Malaria Benefit Granted by PhilHealth
Heard the latest scoop on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)? They've bumped up the coverage for outpatient malaria services by half, moving from PHP780 to PHP1,170. That means more resources for those battling this sickness, with the aim to fight off the ongoing threat.
Part of their mission is to eliminate malaria by the year 2030, though we've been keeping an eye on it since... well, a while back. As things stand now, only Palawan province in the Philippines has identified cases of malaria.
In 2024, the number of malaria cases in Palawan reached a staggering 8,898, marking a 41.5% increase from the 6,285 cases reported in 2023. The majority of these cases can be traced back to heavy rains in the area, with the city of Rizal accounting for 62% of the total cases.
Other affected areas in Palawan include Brooke's Point, Bataraza, Quezon, and Sofronio Espanola.
According to the Department of Health (DOH) Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), 72 out of 82 provinces in the country are officially malaria-free. Good news for most, but for those with uncomplicated malaria cases, relief is on the way. Benefits include diagnostic services, medication, and patient education, all accessible at over 1,800 accredited facilities across the nation[1][2][5].
For those facing inpatient treatment, costs range from PHP5,460 (for primary facilities) to PHP7,800 (hospitals)[2][5]. Keep an eye on local outbreaks and stay informed by checking updates from RITM or PhilHealth-accredited facilities[5].
[1] PhilHealth Increases Malaria Service Coverage [URL][2] DOH Highlights Malaria Elimination Goal [URL][3] PhilHealth Nationwide Coverage [URL][4] Malaria Treatment Costs in the Philippines [URL][5] Local Outbreaks and Updates (DOH-RITM) [URL]
- The increase in malaria cases in Palawan, reaching 8,898 in 2024, signifies a significant jump of 41.5% from the 6,285 cases reported in 2023.
- The majority of these malaria cases in Palawan can be attributed to heavy rains in the area, with the city of Rizal accounting for 62% of the total cases.
- In contrast, 72 out of 82 provinces in the Philippines are officially malaria-free as per the Department of Health (DOH) Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
- Combat against malaria is on the horizon as PhilHealth, through their increased coverage for outpatient malaria services, aims to provide more resources, encouraging health and wellness for those battling this sickness.
