Bawas gastos: House OKs free checkups for Pinoys on 2nd reading

By Billy Begas

The House of Representatives on Monday approved on second reading a measure seeking to give free medical check-ups to Filipinos to reduce mortality rate from diseases caused by high levels of cholesterol and blood sugar.

The proposed Free Annual Medical Check-Up Act (House Bill 9072), authored by Anakalusugan Rep. Michael Defensor was approved via voice voting.

In his sponsorship speech, Defensor said high blood cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease, which is among the leading causes of death in the country.

“About 46% of Filipino ages 20 and over have borderline cholesterol. This means 1 out of 2 Filipinos have it and may not even be aware of it,” Defensor said.

Defensor said the Philippines ranked fifth with the highest number of diabetes cases according to data from Western Pacific Region of the International Diabetes Federation.

Over 6 million Filipinos were diagnosed with diabetes in 2016 according to the Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation.

Under the measure, all members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will be entitled to free annual medical checkup that shall include blood sugar and cholesterol tests.

“Laboratory and diagnostic tests shall be expanded, subject to the availability of PhilHealth funds,” the measure read.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)