IN response to the Department of Health (DOH) sounding the alarm over the persistently high number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the country, AGRI Party-list Rep. Manoy Wilbert Lee is calling on Filipinos to take full advantage of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) Konsulta Package for the early detection and diagnosis of TB and other diseases.
“The Konsulta Package provides Filipinos access to essential health services. It gives an invaluable opportunity for Filipinos to have necessary health services, especially for the early detection of illnesses,” Lee said.
“By availing of this package, individuals can get diagnosed early and start treatment to combat tuberculosis immediately, which can significantly improve their chances of recovery,” he added.
According to DOH, the Philippines reported 546,452 TB cases in 2024. The country ranked among the top five nations in the world with the most number of TB cases based on the World Health Organization’s Global Tuberculosis Report for the same year.
Lee, a staunch health advocate who has been persistent in pushing for the expansion of PhilHealth Konsulta Package, said that this program is a critical tool not just in early TB detection and prevention, but also in addressing other serious illnesses.
“That is why it is important for our kababayans to take advantage of services like the Konsulta Package,” the Bicolano lawmaker said.
PhilHealth members and their beneficiaries can register with any Konsulta Package Provider (KPP) of their choice and avail of services and annual benefits amounting to ₱1,700 per beneficiary.
AGRI Party-list which is running for reelection in the 2025 National and Local Elections, further reiterated the right of every Filipino to have access to a comprehensive, compassionate and better healthcare services.
It further called on the DOH and PhilHealth to implement the health commitments that Lee secured during the September 25, 2024 House budget deliberations to lower the out-of-pocket medical expenses of Filipinos, which is a crucial step in achieving free healthcare for all.
“Seryoso tayo sa layunin nating libreng gamot at libreng pagpapagamot para sa bawat Pilipino. Patuloy tayong magbabantay at makikipaglaban para dito nang mabawasan ang pangamba ng ating mga kababayan sa pagkakasakit dahil walang pambili ng gamot o pambayad sa ospital,” AGRI Party-list said.
Last December 2024, AGRI Party-list filed House Resolution No. 2117 to investigate the P11 billion worth of expired medicines and vaccines in DOH warehouses and health facilities that was flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA).
“Wala dapat puwang sa mga ganitong kapalpakan kaya dapat matukoy ang puno’t dulo nito nang hindi na maulit pa. Kulang-kulang na nga ang mga gamot sa mga pampublikong ospital, hirap na hirap na nga ang milyon-milyon nating kababayan sa pagbili ng gamot, tapos may bilyon-bilyong halaga ng gamot, bakuna at iba pang medical supplies ang nag-expire lang at hindi pinakinabangan ng mga Pilipino,” it said.
AGRI Party-list, under Lee’s leadership, was the first to expose that PhilHealth had billions of available funds in September 2023. Lee’s persistent efforts resulted to the implementation of PhilHealth’s increased benefits and free medical services.
The said increases include the 30% increase in health benefits which was implemented in February 2024, another 50% increase which started in 2025, free dialysis, free eye check-up and prescription glasses for ages 0-15, free dental care, expanded coverage for breast cancer treatment, new benefit package for kidney transplant and heart ailments, and outpatient emergency care services, among others.
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