Philippines: New President Targets Total Healthcare Coverage by 2013

Welcome again the The Medical Technology Blog brought to you by Espicom Business Intelligence. A short post today as there’s been a development in the Philippines.

In June 2010, newly elected president President Benigno Aquino said he wants every citizen have access to healthcare by 2013. The Aquino administration plan to achieve this goal by expanding the coverage of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp (PhilHealth) to all citizens, particularly the poor.

In July 2010, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said an additional P9 billion (US$195.3 million) would be needed to widen health insurance coverage to all Filipinos by 2013. Ona said there were also suggestions to make membership compulsory for all citizens. PhilHealth has an existing annual budget of P29 billion (US$629.4 million). The new DoH chief also said he would look into allegations of corruption within the PhilHealth administration.

By the end of 2009, PhilHealth had a total 20.2 million members (excluding members’ family members/dependents covered under the scheme). At the end of 2008 for example, PhilHealth had 16.5 million members, which resulted in around 68.7 million out of 90.4 million people covered, equal to 76% of the population.

Come back soon, thanks.

Paul

Web Marketing Manager of Espicom Business Intelligence

Tagged with: citizens insurance Philippines • coverage of philippine health • filipino medical technology • healthcare technology in the Philippines • medical coverage in the philippines • medical coverage in the phillipines • medical coverage philippines • medical insurance for philippine citizens • medical technology philippines news • news about medical technology philippines • philhealth total membership • philippine medical insurance for citizens • philippine medical technology • philippines medical technology • total population of philhealth members

Filed under: Country News

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!