Baricuatro brings healthcare, infra upgrades, and typhoon relief to Camotes Islands

CAMOTES ISLANDS, Cebu — Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro led a series of major initiatives across the Camotes Islands on Monday, July 20, delivering millions in financial aid, launching critical infrastructure projects, and providing relief to typhoon-affected families in San Francisco, Tudela, and Poro.

In San Francisco town, Baricuatro spearheaded the groundbreaking ceremony for an ₱8.48-million Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at the Ricardo L. Maningo Memorial Hospital. The project aims to ensure proper wastewater treatment in compliance with public health and environmental standards.

The governor highlighted the ongoing healthcare reforms overseen by Capitol Piso Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan, which have brought upgraded medical equipment, cleaner facilities, and more medical personnel to provincial hospitals.

During a flag-raising ceremony at the San Francisco Municipal Hall, Baricuatro handed over ₱10 million in checks to Mayor Alfredo Arquillano for local road concreting projects, along with 1,000 solar power units for the LGU.  Additional funds totaling ₱450,000 were distributed to Barangays Himensulan, San Isidro, and Cabonga-an for barangay equipment, social-cultural activities, and local procurement.

Concluding her island visit, Baricuatro distributed ₱2.68 million in emergency financial assistance to 268 families impacted by Typhoon Tino in Tudela and Poro towns.  Each beneficiary family received ₱10,000 in cash and 10 kilograms of rice to support house rebuilding and livelihood recovery.

Additionally, the Provincial Veterinary Office delivered essential veterinary supplies, including antibiotics and vitamins, to local governments to support livestock raisers recovering from the disaster.

Mayor Greman Solante of Tudela, Mayor Edgar Rama of Poro, Provincial Administrator Ace Durano, and 5th District Board Members Andre Red Duterte and Mike Villamor joined the governor across the various events, reaffirming the province's commitment to supporting the island municipalities' continuous growth and disaster recovery. (Photos: Capitol PIO)

 

 

 

PhilHealth Statement on the 18% coverage

PhilHealth continues to be committed in its mandate to deliver Universal Health Care (UHC) for every Filipino. The latest Philippine National Health Account (2023) reports that 44.4% of the country’s Current Health Expenditure (CHE) was paid through out-of-pocket (OOP) means.

Meanwhile, the government — which not only includes PhilHealth services but as well as other health financing government initiatives such as the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) — contributes 42.6%. Although this is an aggregated figure, we are cognizant of PhilHealth’s significant role in alleviating the still-heavy financial burdens that Filipinos face when accessing health services.

Hence, we have set out to reduce the OOP expenditure to around 25-35% over the next three (3) years, which would entail a series of regular reviews and refinement of our processes. For PhilHealth alone, this translates to an increase of the current CHE share to around 25-35% by 2028 — which necessitates focusing our benefit releases to prioritize high burden, and high cost diseases that commonly affect Filipinos, as evidenced by data.

This calls for alignment with our healthcare providers — professionals and institutions alike — to ensure preparedness for the implementation of benefits, allowing our members to promptly access care and financial risk protection. Benefits have been and will be expanded, but we need the health care supply-side to match these efforts.

Gayunpaman, nililinaw natin na ang kontribusyon ng PhilHealth sa CHE (o gastos pangkalusugan ng bansa) ay iba pa sa support value o halagang sinasagot ng PhilHealth sa bawat pagpapaospital o pagpapatingin ng ating mga myembro. Halimbawa, isa sa ating adhikain ay, sa susunod na tatlong taon, ang lahat ng maa-admit sa wards — publiko man o pribado — ay wala na dapat dagdag na babayaran sapagkat sakop na ito ng PhilHealth (100% support value). 

Ngunit, sa mas malawak na pambansang pananaw, maaaring ang 25-35% na gastos na manggagaling pa rin sa bulsa ng mga mamamayan ay napupunta sa iba pang serbisyong pangkalusugan gaya ng upgraded rooms at provider preference. Sa ating target na pagtaas ng kontribusyon ng PhilHealth sa CHE, atin nang labis na mapabababa ang panganib ng kahirapang dala ng gastos sa pagpapagamot para sa maraming pamilyang Pilipino.

However, reducing the OOP expenditure requires concerted, multisectoral efforts in strengthening the health system’s financing strategies. Kaya naman, patuloy rin po tayong nakikipag-tulungan sa iba’t ibang ahensya kabilang na ang Kagawaran ng Kalusugan (DOH), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Local Government Units (LGUs), at iba pa.

Only through synchronized efforts among government agencies could we successfully achieve health financial risk protection for every Filipino. Kaisa po kami ni Sen. Pia Cayetano sa hangaring bawasan ang gastusing pangmedikal na kailangan pang ilabas ng mga Pilipino mula sa kanilang bulsa. 

Kaya naman, kami ay direktang nakikipag-ugnayan sa opisina ng mahal na Senadora upang mas lalo pang paigtingin ang aming serbisyo. Makakaasa po kayong patuloy na naglilingkod ang PhilHealth upang sama-sama nating maiangat ang antas ng kalusugan sa isang Bagong Pilipinas.

Aventus Medical Care offers multi-specialty clinic system

​CEBU CITY— Aventus Medical Care Inc., a provider of healthcare services in the Philippines offers a multi-specialty clinic system ensuring clienteles’ high quality, efficient, and accessible healthcare solutions since its establishment in February 2009.

“We are one of the leading Health Care service providers in the Philippines with a multi-specialty clinic system providing affordable and accessible outpatient services,” Aventus Medical Care Vice President, Dr. Sally Gaspar said.

Gaspar added that with strong emphasis on preventive care and a holistic approach to healthcare management, Aventus Medical Care has emerged as a trusted name in the industry with over 15 years of operation.

Aventus’ capabilities include Multi-Specialty Clinic (offers consultation, laboratory, drug testing, X-ray, Ultrasound, Executive Check Up (ECU), Pre-Employment Medical Exam (PEME), Annual Physical Exam (APE) and special tests), Mobile Services, Clinic Management, TelAventusMD, Home Health, and Ambulatory Surgical Center (Eastwood Clinic), Gaspar bared.

Acentus has 21 strategically located clinics across Metro Manila, North Luzon, South Luzon, and Visayas, to ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to communities across the Philippines. To serve the healthcare needs of its clients in Cebu, Aventus also has two clinics located at Robinsons Cybergate near Fuente Osmeňa and at IT Park, Lahug.

Gaspar revealed that Aventus Medical Care adopted digital innovations with the creation of the Healthlink App and MyAventus App for easier access and continuity of care in collaboration with the managed clinics, retail clinics, and TelAventusMD that help monitor chronic diseases to avoid further complications that will enhance the total well-being of our patients.

MyAventus App on the other hand, is the mobile app that will be the channel to access Healthlink, Aventus clinic appointment booking, clinic locations, laboratory and imaging results viewing, and health habits.

Aventus also established partnerships with key players in the HMO industry and collaboration with various health insurance providers to meet the evolving needs of their clientele. These partnerships enable the company to deliver comprehensive and affordable healthcare solutions to a diverse range of individuals and organizations.

According to Wenefrido Fernando, Assistant Vice President for Operations, Aventus Medical Care’s key management team is composed of leaders of integrity and competence in the health care industry.

“They are prime movers who can take the company’s mission and vision forward “in providing high-quality, effective, and efficient clinic services intended to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve,”Fernando added.

For inquiries and more information, please visit their website at http://www.aventusmedical.comor visit their Cebu clinics located at Unit 302 & 309, Level 3, 2029 Robinsons Cybergate Don G. Garcia and J. Llorente St., Capitol Site and Unit 203 2/F TGU Tower, Phase 1 Asiatown I.T. Park, Apas, Cebu City. (Photos: Aventus/CCCI/Jezreel Cal)