The Department of Health-Negros Island Region (DOH-NIR) has extended PHP206.26 million in financial assistance to beneficiaries in Negros and Siquijor after the establishment of the country’s newest administrative region in June 2024.
The amount was released to 38,204 patients under the agency’s Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Program.
Data on Thursday showed the bulk of the assistance went to patients in Negros Occidental, amounting to PHP157.38 million, followed by Negros Oriental, PHP23.98 million.
Siquijor received PHP14.54 million while Bacolod City received PHP10.36 million.
“Access is also about financial protection. For many families, the barrier to healthcare is not availability but affordability. Over the past year, through the MAIFIP, more than 38,000 received assistance, representing full coverage of all eligible beneficiaries,” DOH-NIR Director Razel Nikka Hao said in her state of the regional health report.
In expanding access to primary care and essential medicines, 34 public and private facilities in Negros and Siquijor have achieved accreditation for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment or GAMOT Program.
“More than 434,000 first patient encounters have been recorded through our primary care financing mechanisms. These numbers are still small but they matter because they indicate that the people entering the system are coming earlier before illness becomes more severe, more complicated and more costly,” Hao said.
In the region, 59 of the 63 local government units have accredited Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) facilities, which provide free outpatient consultations, diagnostic tests, and up to PHP20,000 worth of medicines per year.
“This means that services that were once available only in select facilities are increasingly becoming accessible and closer to where people live. Other outpatient package providers are also available,” the DOH-NIR chief said.
These include 49 providers for material care, 60 for tuberculosis and 38 for animal bite treatment.
“Still, we need to increase the access points for the other benefits such as for mental, health, severe acute malnutrition and oral health,” Hao said.*PNA
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