Aquino leads joint launch of DOH Rotavirus vaccine and PhilHealth's "Z" benefit package

The government launched two significant public healthcare initiatives today: one that streamlines the services provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., the other to combat a disease that endangers thousands of children every year.

In ceremonies held this afternoon in Malacañan Palace, President Benigno S. Aquino III led the launch of PhilHealth's "Z" Benefit Package and of the Department of Health's Rotavirus vaccination program.

"Z" Benefit Package

Under the "Z" Benefit Package of PhilHealth, even illnesses that are classified as the most costly and severe (or "Z," according to PhilHealth's classification) now have coverage. The following diseases/conditions have been prioritized to be covered:

Breast Cancer

Leukemia

Prostate Cancer

According to President Aquino, this represents a change in the way PhilHealth does business. "Instead of focusing on one claim or one treatment alone, the focus is on the patient himself."

"If I may emphasize," added President Aquino, "this is only the initial implementation of the program. Just as PhilHealth has dramatically expanded their coverage in only two years, so too will they expand the coverage of this program in the coming months."

The package was simultaneously launched in hospitals nationwide. A budget of P3 billion has been allocated this year and by the end of 2012, the package will cover even more illnesses, including the following:

Congenital heart conditions needing surgery

Congenital defects needing surgery

Major cardiac surgery

Colorectal cancer and Retinoblastoma (eye tumor)

As of December 31, 2011, PhilHealth covered 82 percent of the total Philippine population, including 100 percent of the 5.2 million households the National Household Targeting System identified as poor.

Rotavirus Vaccine

In the same event, President Aquino led the launching of the administration's efforts to provide free vaccination for the Rotavirus, identified as the most common cause of severe diarrhea among children below five years old. At least 30 percent of diarrhea-related hospitalizations nationwide are caused by the Rotavirus, of which 3,687 cases lead to death. The vaccine is considered the best protection against rotavirus infection.

Utilizing the NHTS, the DOH aims to reach 700,000 infants the age of six- and 15-weeks old nationwide.

The total cost of the vaccines is P461.29 million. Beginning July 2012, rotavirus vaccines will be included in routine immunization for infants, which shall be administered by health workers in health centers or barangay health stations. The launch of the vaccine is expected to significantly reduce the incidence of child mortality. This corresponds with Millennium Development Goal 4: to reduce by two-thirds the under-five mortality rate by 2015.

"Just as fighting corruption and poverty are the means to ensure a healthier, fairer, and more prosperous society," said the President, nearing the end of his speech, "so too will programs like these help improve our public health system, resulting in a society where the vulnerable are made strong, and the weak are empowered to contribute to the well-being and the happiness of the whole." - Official Gazette — ARA