BOTOLAN, Zambales — The Department of Health (DOH) formally launched the PhilHealth Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) for Zambales on November 27, with about 500 Zambaleños availing of various health and medical services at the Botolan People’s Plaza here.

Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., who graced the launching program, hailed the DOH project as a timely undertaking that promotes a proactive approach to health by focusing on prevention and early detection to prevent severe illnesses and financial hardship for Filipino families. 

He said that under YAKAP, Zambaleños can now partake of affordable and accessible health care in 35 accredited YAKAP clinics across the province where members can register and have initial consultations.

The PhilHealth YAKAP package provides enhanced primary care benefit offerings that include free consultations, essential medicines (GAMOT program), lab tests, and cancer screenings for early disease detection and prevention to reduce out-of-pocket costs for basic healthcare services.

The GAMOT program provides free essential outpatient medicines for various conditions, which are claimable at accredited pharmacies, while Lab & Cancer Screenings covers indicated lab tests and cancer screenings like mammogram and colonoscopy at select facilities.

PhilHealth members can register at any accredited YAKAP Clinic, then complete a First Patient Encounter (FPE), in order to avail of benefits like free medicines at accredited pharmacies or screenings at select hospitals.

During the launch, Gov. Ebdane also thanked the following DOH and PhilHealth personnel for bringing YAKAP TO Zambales: Jocelyn R. Pascua, Development Management Officer V; Jennifer L. Gamboa, Membership Section, PRO III-A; Dr. Rowena S. Zabat-San Mateo, Acting Branch Manager, PRO III-A; Korrine C. Buquiron, YAKAP Orientation Point Person, LHIO Bataan; Jayson S. Santos, Social Insurance Officer I, LHIO Olongapo City; and Dr. Eileen Rose Garrido, Chief of Hospital II at the President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital in Iba. – Taktikom News & Features