SAN JOSE, Antique – Around 8,592 registered persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the province will avail the state health insurance under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday.
“We have been long waiting for the UHC Law to be signed by President Duterte so that PWDs here in the province could be covered by Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth),” said Paolo Castillo, head of the Antique Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO).
Castillo said around 8,592 PWDs were registered in PDAO. He added these PWDs mostly are visually-impaired and suffering from orthopedic problems.
“About 80 percent of these 8,592 registered PWDs are dependent on their families only,” he said.
Castillo stressed health care is a necessity to PWDs since they cannot afford to pay the premium contributions to PhilHealth.
“We are still waiting for the Implementing Rules and Regulations so that the new law could take effect,” said Chief Social Insurance Officer Junie Sabusap.
Sabusap said the list of PWDs to be covered by PhilHealth insurance will be identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (PNA/PN)
