From struggle to relief: Cyclist-vlogger’s dialysis costs drop from P6,000 to P500 with universal health care aid
January 22, 2024
Ian How, a cyclist-vlogger, has to undergo dialysis three times a week. According to him, the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law has become his beacon of hope.
Originally, he had to pay a hefty P4,000 to P6,000 for each session, but with help of UHC through PhilHealth, his cost is now only P500 per session.
Reflecting on his initial struggles, Ian shares, “Sobrang [laking tulong ng UHC], kasi lalo na nung first time palang (implementation), hindi ko pa napa-process ‘yung papers ng PhilHealth, P4,000 to P6,000 per session [ang dialysis].”
“Kaya minadali ko ‘yung pag-asikaso ng PhilHealth. Tapos nung okay na, P500 nalang.”
Senator JV Ejercito notes that the UHC law has increased the number of dialysis sessions covered from 90 to 150 per year.
He says Ian's experience proves that UHC is working, even for private dialysis centers, significantly reducing the financial burden from thousands to just P500 per session.
“Nag-aalala nga ako sa kanya kasi private ‘yung dialysis center niya, pero [kahit ganon], sagot pa rin ng PhilHealth ‘yung karamihan [ng gastos].”
Ian's story stands as a living testament that the Universal Health Care Law is making a REAL impact on the daily struggles of Filipinos, like Ian.
