CHR Anticipates that the Next Administration will Promote Women's Health as Well

By: WE Staff | Thursday, 19 May 2022

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has urged the new administration to keep "prioritising women's health through efforts that address their specific needs and remove the multiple burdens that obstruct their rights."

The provision of financial benefits to women with cancer and other gynaecological issues by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is "a key step in achieving genuine gender equality and women empowerment," according to CHR Executive Director Jacqueline Ann de Guia.

“Health security is an essential aspect of upholding the right to health and overall well-being of women,” De Gua stressed.

“Offering a health package that is tailor-fitted to the specific health issues of women is a concrete way to address their health problems and has huge implications to their welfare and economic security,” she said.

According to the CHR, PhilHealth benefit packages cover a variety of gynecologic illnesses, including early stage breast cancer (stages 0 to III-A) with a coverage amount of P100,000, which includes surgery and chemotherapy. Women with cervical cancer can get a PhilHealth benefit package for P125,000 or P175,000, depending on their treatment options.

Other gynaecological procedures covered by PhilHealth include ovarian cystectomy, vaginal hysterectomy, dilatation and curettage, and mastectomy, according to the statement.

According to De Guia, the CHR is hopeful that these security packages will benefit Filipinas suffering from cancer and other gynecologic disorders, as well as provide them with economic stability.

Women's health is a crucial component of family life, community life, and nation-building, according to De Guia, hence PhilHealth is also caring for other Filipinos.

“CHR looks forward to parallel efforts to prevent the common health issues of women to ensure their long-term vitality,” she said.