A recently published medical journal has noted that the economic burden of leukemia is onerous—carried alone by Filipino patients and their families. It also called for more government support and assistance. This validates many anecdotal evidences from patients themselves, who have ranked financial hardship as the Top 1 challenge in their leukemia journey.
A major concern is the expensive treatment, management, and care of leukemia patients. The entire course of the chemotherapy, for example, will cost the patient at least P338,500 ($6,663). Meanwhile, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) can only assist patients with a total of P29,120 ($573.22) in benefits, which covers admissions for one chemotherapy cycle (at P7,280 per session of four).
Recently, PhilHealth adjusted the assistance, called the “Z Benefits” to children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), from P210,000 to P380,000, while the Department of Health (DOH) supplies chemotherapeutic drugs.
However, this assistance is for children with ALL only. What about the help for adolescents and adults living with leukemia?
Patient groups have, thus, called on government to render its all-out support, not to select patients’ age only, but to everyone who needs it. It is important to note that a big chunk of the PhilHealth fund comes from mandatory deductions from the salary of every local worker.
Increased financial support from government could very well boost early screening, detection procedures, prevention, treatment, and care.
This Cancer Awareness Month, we hope to disseminate vital information and related leukemia-related issues, as well as and other blood matters, including diseases, causes, symptoms, prevention, and proper nutrition.
Be informed about leukemia. Scan the LeukemiaQR for timely and relevant information. Visit our EPCALM website to know more about our programs and services:
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