Progress in healthcare reforms

In his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. placed healthcare high on the national agenda, outlining a series of new and expanded initiatives aimed at improving access, affordability, and quality of care for all Filipinos. His speech struck a hopeful tone, signaling the administration’s readiness to invest political capital and financial resources in one of the country’s sectors that need most urgent attention.

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The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), which represents the biopharmaceutical industry, welcomes these developments. The President’s focus on healthcare reform is both timely and necessary. However, while the direction is encouraging, the road ahead will require careful execution, close collaboration, and a strong commitment to sustainable reforms.

Among the key measures announced is the year-round provision of free dialysis for patients with kidney disease. For those in need of a transplant, the government has increased coverage to P2.1 million from the previous P600,000. PhilHealth will now also cover postoperative services and essential medicines for transplant patients starting this year.

Expanded PhilHealth benefits were also highlighted. These include increased financial coverage for critical procedures such as open-heart surgeries and heart valve interventions, greater support for patients with severe dengue, and enhanced coverage for cataract removal — now up to P187,000. Access to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is also set to expand.