Good News: COVID-19 Testing is Free "Philhealth will shoulder the expenses"

PHILHEALTH WILL COVER THE COST OF COVID-19 TESTING FREE FOR ALL MEMBER

Corona Virus Disease 2019 also known as COVID-19 has been spreading all over the world. It was started in the province of Wuhan China where many people have been infected.

Infected still increasing every day as well as the number of deaths. President Rodrigo Duterte takes action towards Filipinos who are infected with the said disease. The testing cost of COVID-19 will now shoulder by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) as well as the expenses itself. 

The Free testing of COVID-19 can encourage more Filipinos to get some tests making sure if they're infected or not.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said that Philhealth's decision is part of President Rodrigo Duterte's action against COVID-19.

“The President recognizes that everyone in the country is concerned about COVID-19 and the threat this poses to the health and lives of our loved ones, especially vulnerable individuals like senior citizens,” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Wednesday.

“Given this, the last thing we want is for our citizens to worry about medical costs and expenses. Their only concern should be their well-being and the well-being of their families,” Nograles added.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles also said that they are rushing to produce more testing kits in identifying cases of COVID-19. The FDA approved the testing kits funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and developed by the local scientists.

“We are fast-tracking the deployment of these kits so these can be used at the soonest possible time. Per Dr. Destura of Manila Healthtek, the rapid diagnostic test kit for COVID-19 is set for field validation study, and that UP PGH and the National Institute for Health have agreed to support the study,” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said.

The UP-made testing kits cost less than Php 1,500 compared to the imported pricing around Php 8,000.00 to Php 30,000.00. As per DOH reports, there are a total of 33 positive cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines.

Source: PT