Philhealth members up by at least 100% in Bicol

By Analiza S. Macatangay

Monday 4th of June 2012

NAGA CITY, June 4 (PIA) -- Additional members of National Health Insurance Program or NHIP of the government were nearly up by 100 percent, with 160,539 listed in 2011 and an additional 159, 957 new members as of May 25, this year.

The increase was credited to the intensified campaign of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) enjoining more households to sign up under the NHIP pursuant to President Aquino's Health agenda.

This endeavors to achieve the envisioned Universal Health Care for all Filipinos targeting among others, the reduction of maternal and infant mortality cases and alleviate the condition of the less fortunate sector of the society.

Other provinces in the region also doubled the number of registrants this year. As of May 25, Albay has an additional 80,962 enlisted members from 74,902 last year; Camarines Norte has 45,316 last year and an additional 42,766 this year; Catanduanes with 14,447 in 2011 and an additional 16,245 and Sorsogon with 86,265 last year and 88, 757 this year.

The province of Masbate, ranking second to Camarines Sur with the highest number of registrants had 122,324 enrollees last year and has enlisted 122,621 members this May.

Currently, the total number of NIHP members in the Bicol Region is now numbered at 1,015,101 with 503,793 members enlisted last year and an additional 511,308 joining the ranks this year.

Dr. Arnie Carandang, Department of Health (DOH) Camarines Sur Provincial Health Team (PHT) head, said during the technical working group meeting today that the agency will be conducting more series of training to equip the volunteer health workers with the capability to effectively deliver the services to the recipients.

“The Philippines will meet its Millennium Development Goal (MDG) commitment by 2015 and we have to see to it that the three strategic thrusts on the road to its fulfillment are being properly carried out.”

The focus under the Aquino Health Agenda of achieving Kalusugang Pangkalahatan includes the rapid expansion in NHIP enrollment and benefit delivery using national subsidies for the poorest families; improved access to quality hospitals and health care facilities through accelerated upgrading of public health facilities and attainment of the health-related MDGs by applying additional effort and resources in localities with high concentration of families who are unable to receive critical public health services. (LSM-PIA Camarines Sur)