The government must still study the proposed free coronavirus testing program and check the available funds of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Wednesday.
Health authorities must determine whether the state-owned corporation could afford to shoulder the COVID-19 tests of Filipinos, according to Nograles.
"I will leave that up to the DOH (Department of Health) to assess and the Philhealth to assess kasi siyempre doon natin icha-charge sa PhilHealth 'yan. Kailangan actuarial surveys yan and all of that (because it will charged to PhilHealth. There must be actuarial surveys and all of that)," he said during an online press briefing when asked if the government can afford the free testing for Filipinos recently proposed by President Duterte.
"We also have to be responsible about the funds that are currently with PhilHealth kasi cha-charge sa PhilHealth ‘yan (It will be charged to PhilHealth). It is a concept that must be studied. We need to see the actual numbers and the funds of PhilHealth kung makakayanan (if it can afford it)" he added.
In a televised address Monday night, President Duterte pushed for free COVID-19 tests in government hospitals and health centers if the state has additional funds.
Duterte said he realized the importance of COVID testing to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus disease. He asked Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to craft a program on how government medical facilities can provide free COVID tests.
"Tingnan ko kung may pera at magbili na lang tayo and in all government hospitals or in health centers, mabigay natin libre (I will check if there is money and we will buy so we can give it for free in all government hospitals or in health centers). Free of charge. Target the first or second quarter if you can have a program where I can review and look for the money," the President told Duque during the meeting early this week.
The government earlier set a price ceiling for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests at P3,800 in public health facilities and P4,500 to P5,000 in private testing centers. The price cap on COVID tests was set to ensure its affordability and accessibility to the public amid reports about the alleged exorbitant rates in some facilities.
Pending the study on the free testing program, Nograles assured the public that the government is ready to assist those who cannot afford to take the COVID-19 diagnostic test.
"At the very least, for those who can afford, then maswerte sila (they are lucky) because they have to the money to pay for it. For those who cannot afford, I think that's where government should come in and help," he said.