TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) regional office here has turned over a sea ambulance to the local government unit of Tarangnan, Samar, to ensure quick response during health emergencies in island communities.

DOH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Exuperia Sabalberino on Thursday said the P4 million sea ambulance, funded through its Health Facilities Enhancement Program, would boost the health programs of local government units in the region.

The ambulance, which was officially turned over to the local government on Wednesday, is equipped with a stretcher, automatic external defibrillator, nebulizer, portable suction machines, oxygen cylinder, and other medical equipment and accessories.

“The island villages will now have the opportunity to be referred to the appropriate facilities, the nearest hospital that can cater to their needs,” Sabalberino said in a statement.

In a separate statement, Mayor Danilo Tan thanked the DOH for choosing them to receive the sea ambulance, adding that his administration has been working hard to ensure that the medical and health needs of the people are provided.

“This will guarantee that every people of Tarangnan will receive the quality, accessible and affordable health care services that they truly deserve,” Tan added.

Tarangnan is a fourth-class town in Samar province with a population of 25,713. The town has one hospital –the Tarangnan Community Hospital.

Other towns in Eastern Visayas that received sea ambulances earlier are Bato in Leyte province; and the towns of Biri, Capul, San Antonio, and San Vicente in Northern Samar province.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) announced that its coverage for hemodialysis has been expanded from 90 to 156 sessions starting this year as provided for in PhilHealth Circular 2023-0009 entitled “Institutionalization of 156 hemodialysis sessions” which takes effect today, June 22, 2023.

PhilHealth members and their qualified dependents diagnosed with chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD5) needing hemodialysis as prescribed by their nephrologists may avail themselves of this benefit package. The patient should also be registered in the PhilHealth Dialysis Database prior to availment.

The state-run health insurer explained that the total of 156 sessions is in accordance to the current standards for adequate hemodialysis of three sessions per week for 52 weeks which is equivalent to one year. With this benefit expansion, CKD5 patients on hemodialysis can avail of as much as P405,600 per year at P2,600 per session.

“We are confident that this will adequately support our Kababayans who need this life-saving treatment.”, PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. said. “Ang pagpapalawig ng benepisyo para sa hemodialysis ay patunay na ang PhilHealth ay nakikinig sa panawagan ng ating mga miyembro. Patuloy ang aming pag-aaral na mapabuti ang mga benepisyo ng PhilHealth upang mas mabigyan pa ng sapat na financial risk protection ang mga Filipino.”, Ledesma added.

However, PhilHealth strongly advocates for peritoneal dialysis (PD) first, as it encourages accredited healthcare providers to recommend PD as the initial line of treatment for CKD5 patients. On the other hand, kidney transplantation remains the gold standard treatment for patients with kidney failure. The state Agency said it is set to increase financial coverage for its peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation packages in the next two years. As such, all health facilities should register their newly diagnosed CKD Stage 5 patients needing renal replacement therapy in the PhilHealth Dialysis Database.

Ledesma also emphasized that the expansion in hemodialysis coverage as well as its institutionalization is made possible with the help of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). “Sa tulong ng PAGCOR at PCSO ay mabilis nating maipatutupad ang Universal Health Care Law. Ang pagpapalawak ng benepisyo ng PhilHealth ay bilang pagtugon din sa prayoridad ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na mabawasan ang out-of-pocket expenses sa kalusugan ng mga Filipino na naaayon sa layunin ng ating pamahalaan na Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay para sa Filipino sa 2040.”, he said.

A total of P21 billion from the said partner agencies have already been approved for transfer to PhilHealth under the 2023 General Appropriations Act. (PR)

ORMOC CITY– A Grade 11 student is presently languishing at the locked-up cell of a police station in Matalom, Leyte after he was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted on June 15.

Police identified the suspect as Kevin Daño, 22, and a resident of Barangay Sta. Fe, where the sting operation was conducted by the drug enforcement unit of the local police at about 8:05 pm.

The suspect is tagged as a street-level individual in the drug watch list of the local police.
Recovered from his possession was one sachet containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu procured by an operative in the amount of P500.

During the conduct of a body search, three sachets containing suspected shabu were recovered from his possession.

The police said the estimated market value of recovered drug evidence was estimated to be worth P3,500 with still undetermined weight.

All the drug evidence recovered from the suspect will be brought to the Ormoc City Crime Laboratory for chemical analysis.

Charges of violation for possession and selling of illegal drugs under RA 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs, were filed against the suspect. (ROBERT DEJON)

Globe, a pioneer in 5G technology in the Philippines, continues to lead the way in deploying the latest wireless technology nationwide, scaling up its rollout to meet the anticipated growth in 5G device usage.

The mobile leader launched 66 new 5G sites across 74 cities and towns in the Philippines in the first quarter of the year. This brings its 5G outdoor coverage to 97.21% in the National Capital Region and 90.28% in key cities in Visayas and Mindanao. This expansion has enabled Globe to log 4.3 million devices on its 5G network in March 2023.

“Our investments on the mobile network have allowed us to maintain the excellent quality of our service to our customers. Globe continues to exert efforts to enable the lives of our customers with a network that they can fully rely on as we strive to provide them a consistent experience worthy of their patronage and loyalty,” said Rebecca Eclipse, Globe’s Chief Customer Experience Officer and Head of Strategy Management.

Globe has been hailed as the fastest 5G mobile network in several areas in the Philippines. In particular, the latest Ookla® report showed that Globe has achieved median download speeds of up to 171.814 Mbps in Makati City, 159.298 Mbps in Cagayan de Oro City, 157.795 Mbps in Misamis Oriental, and 99.916 Mbps in Zamboanga.

“Globe is committed to bringing 5G connectivity all over the country so Filipinos anywhere can have access to the same opportunities and services,” added Eclipse.

5G connectivity can provide significant benefits for growth and development for individuals and communities. It has the potential to bring new education and health services to remote areas, generate employment, and stimulate economic growth in the region.

With faster speeds, higher bandwidth, and a more stable internet connection, 5G can provide big corporations with a competitive edge in today’s fast-paced market. It can improve mobility, create new business avenues, and enhance customer experience. (PR)