DOH-7, Philhealth reiterate kidney care

DOH7 Medical Officer IV, Non Communicable Disease Section, Dr. Jera Armendarez and Philhealth 7 Medical Specialist, Benefits Administration Section, Dr. Avril Tiu during the Kapihan sa PIA on June 21, 2023

CEBU CITY, Cebu, July 4 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) reiterated the importance of taking care of the kidneys in time for the observation of National Kidney Month this July.

DOH-7 Medical Officer IV Dr. Jera Armendarez disclosed during the Kapihan sa PIA on June 21 that the National Kidney Month observance aims to raise awareness on how to prevent kidney diseases.

Although Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) remains to be one of the leading causes of death in the country, it is preventable, said Dr. Armendarez.

“Basic screening on sugar, cholesterol level, and yearly check-ups should be practiced for early detection because CKD is non-reversible,” she said.

Modification of diet, avoiding smoking and alcoholic drinks, adequate exercise, and drinking enough water helps prevent CKD.

In 2021, CKD ranked fourth among the top diseases in the Philippines.

Age, heredity, hypertension, and diabetes are some of the risk factors for kidney ailments.

Worldwide, there are about 800 million people suffering from CKD, of which 7 million cases are from the Philippines.

Dr. Armendarez said DOH is extending technical assistance to local government units (LGUs) through symposiums and talks on how to avoid CKD.

DOH also provides sugar tests and basic screening in rural health centers as requested by the LGUs.

Philhealth benefits

For patients with CKD, Philhealth-7 Medical Specialist of the Benefits Administration Section, Dr. Avril Tiu, said Philhealth offers a coverage for hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplant.

Dr. Tiu said the coverage for hemodialysis is at P2,600 per session inclusive of professional fee in Philhealth-accredited hospitals.

The peritoneal dialysis, which falls under the Z benefit package, has a coverage of P270,000 and are is only given in contracted Z benefit facilities.

Kidney transplant cases have a coverage of P600,000 which also falls under the Z benefit package.

He also stressed the importance of CKD patients enrolling in the dialysis database and for Philhealth members to continue their monthly contributions.

Contracted Z benefit facilities in Region 7 for peritoneal dialysis are in the Cebu South Medical Center in Talisay City, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City, and Governor Celestino Galleres Hospital in Bohol.

Only VSMMC is accredited for kidney transplant cases under the said benefit package. (MYP/PIA7 Cebu)

Comments

Dumaguete crime rate drops

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Nov. 10 (PIA) -- The Dumaguete City Police Station has reported that between October 1 to Nov. 7, only 70 crime incidents were recorded, a decrease by 21% compared to 91 incidents in the same period of last year. In a City Peace and Order Council meeting, Lt. Col. Ronoel Fungo disclosed that no homicide, murder, robbery, carnapping, rape and rape with homicide cases were reported in the same period. The City Health Office also reported that of the total 905 surrenderees or people who use drugs (PWUDs) in 2017, around 334 or 37% have completed their assessment as of Nov. 7, 2023. With the absence of drug dependents and pushers in Poblacion 4, 5, and 7, these are considered drug-free barangays, while Poblacion 6 was declared drug-cleared. The City Health Office also noted that the low or no response to assessment of PWUDs are due to change of address, unknown whereabouts, conflict in work schedule, and imprisonment. Meanwhile, the ...

POPCOM7 strengthens KATROPA implementation in CV LGUs

(Center left) Board of Director KATROPA Danao City Federation, Juan Capuno Jr. and POPCOM KATROPA Focal Person, Roberto Yana (Center right) CEBU CITY, Cebu, March 1 (PIA) -- The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) Region 7 is strengthening the implementation of Kalalakin-an nga Tinud-anay sa ilang Responsibilidad og Obligasyon sa Pamilya (KATROPA) in the local government units (LGUs). During the Kapihan sa PIA, KATROPA Focal Person Roberto Yana disclosed that they aim to educate the male population of their responsibilities in the family, especially on their roles as son, husband, and father. Members undergo a training of trainers to have a wholistic understanding of their roles and responsibilities in family planning. Yana explained that they accept members as young as 15 years old so they would be educated on community development, livelihood, and responsible parenthood. In the same forum, Board of Director of the KATROPA Danao City Fede...

EMB 7 creates composite team for water sampling

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7 of the Department of Environment Natural Resources Central Visayas on Tuesday, Dec. 28, has created a composite team for water sampling in the different parts of the region affected by Typhoon "Odette" (International name: Rai). The EMB 7 deployed two teams conducting ambient water sampling in the Northern Cebu (Liloan area, Consolacion, Mandaue and Mactan Coastal Area) and Southern Cebu (Cebu Port Area, Talisay, Naga and San Fernando). The bureau said the first two samples from Punta Engaño near Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu and Umapad, Mandaue City near the bridge and Petron) taken last Dec. 23 and 24 were brought to Ostrea Laboratory since the EMB laboratory cannot analyze due to no electricity. The office is still awaiting the result for these two samples which will be available by Wednesday, Dec 29. It said the other samples taken on Tuesday will also be brought to Ostrea laboratory, an accredited laboratory of EMB 7. (ID...

Philippine Information Agency Central Visayas

Search This Blog