Manila:President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., alongside the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) - Healthcare Sector, is advocating for significant reforms to make healthcare more affordable and accessible to Filipinos, with a focus on underserved communities.
According to Philippines News Agency, the 11th meeting with PSAC-Healthcare at Malacañan Palace highlighted recommendations to enhance the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) benefits, improve access to essential medicines, and strengthen nationwide healthcare facilities. The proposals aim to alleviate the financial burden on Filipino families, who often face challenges with costs related to maintenance medicines, hospital bills, and transportation to healthcare facilities.
One of the primary recommendations includes the expansion of PhilHealth's Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) and the Guaranteed Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program. These initiatives aim to reduce patients' out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare services. PSAC Healthcare Sector Lead Paolo Borromeo emphasized the need for collaboration between the government and private sector to implement these recommendations effectively.
As of October 8, PhilHealth's YAKAP program has reached over 22 million registered beneficiaries across 4,677 accredited clinics, while the GAMOT program has served 1.28 million beneficiaries through 3,483 participating pharmacies. PSAC-Healthcare has also endorsed PhilHealth's digital transformation efforts to enhance service convenience and accessibility.
In addition to PhilHealth's programs, PSAC-Healthcare is working with government agencies to improve access to essential medicines, particularly in areas with limited pharmacy availability. A pilot program is planned for implementation between November 2026 and January 2027, aiming to make medicines more accessible through digital technology and trained pharmacy assistants.
Further recommendations from PSAC-Healthcare include the fast-tracking of medicine and vaccine registrations by the Food and Drug Administration and updating regulations for healthcare facilities to encourage expansion while maintaining quality standards. For 2027, additional priorities include enhancing the country's clinical trials capabilities and preparing medical facilities for climate-related disruptions.
