MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 28, 2012) – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation has set a P210,000-benefit payment for standard-risk acute lymphocytic leukemia, or fast-growing cancer of the blood in children.
The Department of Health Acute said acute lymphocytic leukemia accounts for about 75% of all childhood leukaemia cases while the remaining 25% is classified as chronic or slow-growing cancer in children.
Philhealth president Dr. Eduardo Banzon said the P210,000-benefit payment will adequately protect Philhealth members against the risk of incurring ruinous medical expenses in the event a child develops acute lymphocytic leukemia.
“This is our second-largest single benefit payment for a catastrophic illness, next to our P600,000-package for end-stage renal disease requiring a kidney transplant. We will spare no expense to save our children with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Almost 90% of cases are curable, though a number of side effects of treatment can linger well into adulthood,” Banzon said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
He described acute lymphocytic leukemia as a harsh disease that requires prolonged and costly treatment, hospitalization and recovery.
“The illness tends to create a financial hardship for the family. In some cases, the father or mother has to totally stop working just to be able to look after the child,” Banzon said.
He said the P210,000-benefit payment covers the cost of the entire treatment course lasting up to three years in contracted hospitals, including chemotherapeutic drugs, the necessary laboratory tests, confinement, and the professional fees of specialists.
He said Philhealth members, including overseas Filipino workers, who have children with standard-risk acute lymphocytic leukemia may avail of the benefit package in any of the 13 specially contracted hospitals countrywide capable of treating the disease.
These are the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Philippine General Hospital, Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, Cagayan Valley Medical Center, Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center, Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital, Batangas Regional Hospital, Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital, Bicol Medical Center, Western Visayas Medical Center, Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Southern Philippines Medical Center, and the Davao Regional Hospital.
Negotiations are ongoing with additional public as well as private hospitals that may be enlisted by Philhealth to deliver the benefit package, Banzon said.
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