Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is reminding Filipinos that tuberculosis (TB) treatment is covered under its benefit packages, helping reduce the cost burden on patients.
Its TB-DOTS package includes consultation, diagnostic tests, medicines, and patient education. The total package is worth PHP7,800, divided into PHP4,875 for the intensive phase and PHP2,925 for the maintenance phase of treatment.
Focus on Early Detection
To catch cases earlier, PhilHealth is also rolling out services under its YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan, Alaga at Proteksyon) program. This includes primary care support such as chest X-rays, which can help detect TB before symptoms worsen.
Still, the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases warns that the Philippines continues to rank among countries with the highest TB cases globally. Symptoms to watch out for include a cough lasting more than two weeks, recurring fever, weight loss, and blood in sputum.
Rising Cases, Ongoing Challenges
According to the Department of Health (DOH), over 101,000 TB cases have already been recorded in Metro Manila as of mid-February.
While testing and treatment are free in government health facilities, officials stress that early consultation remains critical. Patients are also urged to complete the full six-month treatment to avoid complications and prevent further spread.
Health authorities note that stigma and fear still discourage many from seeking care early, allowing the disease to spread more easily within communities.
