IBA, Zambales (PIA) — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) strengthened its primary care and outpatient benefit delivery with the launch of the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) and the Guaranteed Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) at the Ospital ng Sta. Cruz in Zambales recently.
PhilHealth, together with its partner stakeholders, expanded the implementation of YAKAP and GAMOT to cover a wider range of members, including employed individuals, families, self-paying members, indigent beneficiaries, senior citizens, and other sectors of the community.
The initiative supports the government’s continuing efforts under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen primary healthcare services and ensure that Filipinos have better access to essential health benefits.
In the same activity, PhilHealth recognized the Ospital ng Sta. Cruz as the first accredited hospital and pharmacy for YAKAP and GAMOT in areas under PhilHealth Iba’s jurisdiction, marking a key milestone in the program’s rollout in Zambales.
Provincial Health Officer Noel Bueno said the Ospital ng Sta. Cruz, together with the Provincial Government of Zambales led by Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., fully supports the program to bring primary care services, diagnostics, and medicines closer to Zambaleños.
The YAKAP and GAMOT programs aim to encourage PhilHealth members to seek early consultation and maximize their health benefits without out-of-pocket expenses.
Each member may access up to P20,000 worth of essential medicines annually under GAMOT, available in accredited pharmacies. GAMOT also covers 54 essential medicines per individual per year, benefiting members and their dependents.
YAKAP provides access to health screening, check-ups, consultations, laboratory services, prescriptions, and 21 essential medicines.
Members may access YAKAP services by selecting their preferred clinic through the eGov mobile application by clicking PhilHealth and YAKAP clinic options, coordinating with PhilHealth Iba, or seeking assistance directly from the Ospital ng Sta. Cruz for enrollment in the program.
PhilHealth emphasized that the expanded rollout in Zambales supports its broader goal of ensuring that every Filipino, whether healthy or ill, receives timely and appropriate healthcare services anchored on accessible primary care and financial risk protection. (Rick P. Quiambao)
