PhilHealth Mulls Drug Rehab Coverage

Tacloban City — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) now considers including in its coverage a benefit package for drug dependents under rehabilitation.

PhilHealth Eastern Visayas regional vice president Walter Bacareza said the plan is in response to the growing number of drug dependents surrendering to authorities after the government launched an anti-drug war.

“We’re looking on it and looking at the possibility of coming out with a package and the central office is the one that is doing it,” said Bacareza.

The official said that this the way of PhilHealth to support the government’s campaign against illegal drug.

Data from the Philippine National Police in Eastern Visayas showed that more than 7,000 drug personalities have surrendered to authorities since July 1 until last week.

Police acting regional director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar urged local government units to carry out a comprehensive drug treatment and rehabilitation program for all self-confessed drug users.

“Rehabilitation is highly technical and medical. That is why I am asking governors and mayors that they should start proposing to establish drug rehabilitation centers,” Beltejar said.

The police regional chief noted severe effects of illegal drugs to some personalities that they need to be confined in a rehabilitation facility and not just undergo counselling and community-based treatment.

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla noted that managing a drug rehabilitation center is a big challenge for local government units not just on finances but even on human resources.

“We badly need assistance from the national government,” Petilla told reporters.

DOH Regional Director Minerva Molon said that although there are local government officials who initiated rehabilitation activities, this is not enough, especially for those patients, who are already under critical stage.

“We need to ensure that they should be well in five years, not just in five months or 18 months of rehabilitation. There should be regular follow-ups,” said Molon.

Molon added that they will meet local mental health workers trained after super typhoon Yolanda to help in the assessment of illegal drug users.

Off all provinces and cities in the region, only Southern Leyte and Ormoc City have concrete plans to set up drug rehabilitation facilities.

Eastern Visayas has one DOH-run rehabilitation facility located in Dulag, which will reopen in September this year. Its current bed capacity is only 100, according to Molon. (PNA) BNB/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR