Nearly P8-K TB treatment package available – PhilHealth

MANILA – A tuberculosis (TB) treatment package is covered under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) benefit packages, it said Wednesday.

In an advisory on Wednesday, PhilHealth said it covers the Outpatient Anti-Tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (TB-DOTS) package, which includes consultation, diagnostic examinations, medicines and patient education.

The package is valued at PHP7,800, with PHP4,875 allocated for the intensive phase and PHP2,925 for the maintenance phase of treatment.

PhilHealth also highlighted its YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan, Alaga at Proteksyon) program, which offers primary care services, including chest X-ray, to support early detection of TB.

According to the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, the Philippines ranks among the countries with the highest number of TB cases worldwide.

Common symptoms include cough lasting more than two weeks, fever in the afternoon or evening, weight loss, and blood in sputum, it said.

Testing and treatment for TB are free in government health facilities.

Over the weekend, the Department of Health (DOH) – Metro Manila Center for Health Development said latest data from the Epidemiology Bureau’s Integrated Tuberculosis Information System logged 101,807 TB cases in the National Capital Region as of Feb. 16.

Individuals with symptoms are encouraged to consult a physician or seek help from the nearest health center.

Those taking medications are advised to complete the treatment, which usually lasts for six months, as incomplete treatment could lead to complications and continued transmission.

The DOH said fear and shame often prevent patients from seeking early care, worsening their condition and increasing the risk of spread within communities. (PNA)