Bohol Hospital Leads in Complete Premature Benefit in CV

Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) in Tagbilaran, Bohol is the first contracted facility in Central Visayas to offer the Z benefit for Premature and Small Newborn (PSN) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

PhilHealth has launched a holistic package that provides financial risk protection for premature and small newborns in the effort to lessen neonatal newborn deaths in the Philippines.

Ms. Jonah Ragasajo from the Benefits Administration Section of Philhealth said that there are about 20,000 death cases due to prematurity among newborns every year.

The Z Benefit for PSN covers prevention of pre-term delivery and preterm and small newborns, which are available for pregnant women who are in their 24 to 36 and 6/7 weeks of gestation, at risk of preterm delivery.

PhilHealth is encouraging more public and private healthcare institutions (HCI) to get contracted with them to offer this new Z benefit package.

However, with the cruciality of neonatal cases, birthing homes and lying-in clinics are not eligible for accreditation.

Interested HCI must submit a letter of intent and a self-assessment checklist as documentary requirements.

The HCI must have a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), trained specialists in neonatal care such as pediatricians and neonatologists, mandatory services such as laboratory, x-ray, and diagnostics, and ample supply of medications like antibiotics.

After submitting the documentary requirements, PhilHealth will then conduct a pre-contracting survey to validate that the hospital could cater and handle the said cases. (HFG with report from Bridgette May Bayhon/PIA7)