PDLs in Caraga are enrolled in PhilHealth’s Konsulta, says BJMP official
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Senior Jail Officer Florefe M. Badillo, warden of the Butuan City Jail Female Dormitory of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Caraga, during the recent Kapihan sa PIA, shared that all persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the region are registered to PhilHealth’s Konsulta.
This initiative is a fulfillment of BJMP’s core function on provision of basic needs of the PDLs, in particular on their need for inclusive, quality and affordable healthcare.
“With their enrollment to PhilHealth’s Konsulta, we ensure that if PDLs encounter health problems, they have access to medical experts, without worrying their families,” she said. “This is a positive outcome of the interagency collaboration of BJMP with PhilHealth, bringing inclusive health care services even behind bars.”
Further, the BJMP also acknowledged the timely help and assistance provided by the local government units in the region to the bureau by accepting PDLs in their hospitals and treatment centers, including the use of ambulances and other facilities.
Warden Vincent Jomini Q. Orcullo announced the recent approval of the proposed in-house jail clinic particularly at the Bislig City Jail, funded by the city government of Bislig and to be operated by the City Health Office.
He said, “With the in-house jail clinic to be available soon, the BJMP doesn’t have to secure and wait for a court order to bring a PDL-patient to a nearby primary health center for consultation or medication as the jail clinic will have its own medical team and services, ensuring improved and immediate medical assistance will be given to the PDLs.”
Meanwhile, PhilHealth’s Konsulta (Konsultasyong Sulit Tama) offers a comprehensive outpatient benefit as mandated by the Universal Health Care Law. With PDLs enrollment in PhilHealth’s Konsulta, this allows them to receive guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health care, goods and services, and be protected against financial risks.
Under the PhilHealth Konsulta, all Filipinos shall be registered with an accredited PhilHealth Konsulta provider of their choice and be eligible to avail of consultation, health risk screening and assessment, selected laboratory and diagnostic test, and selected drugs and medicines. (RLE, PIA Caraga)
