It has become quite ordinary to see “appeals for help” from friends regarding hospitalization, hospital bills, labs and medicines. Many families bear this heavy burden, especially when a member or two would be diagnosed with chronic diseases and serious ailments.

We have an eternity to talk about the many problems behind this growing burden for individuals and families. This column is not about that.

I wish to address Gen Z people who can radically change the situation by simply minding their health, and availing for themselves and their future children preventive care.

First, enroll yourself, your family and your kids to Philhealth Yakap. You can enroll via the Philhealth website or the eGov app. Upon enrolment, you can pick a clinic that’s near you. Contact the clinic for the schedule of your “first patient encounter” with a doctor, get free lab work done, and receive free medicines (up to P20,000 a year.)

Alternatively, visit a health center near you to inquire about the free services available to you. In Quezon City and Pasig, they offer a wide array of free medical, dental, mental health and other services, and also free immunization/vaccination and free medicines.

Second, your health center provides free infant immunization year-round. This is an important mandate of government, and equally important chore for parents.

Enrol your baby in the health center’s immunization program, so they could get the following shots, for free:

At birth: BCG vaccine for tubercolosis and hepatitis B (at birth)

At 6/10/14 weeks: Pentavalent vaccines for diphtheria, pertussis, influenza B and hepatitis B; oral polio vaccine; and PCV for pneumonia and meningitis

At 14 weeks: Inactivated polio vaccine

At 9 months/1 year: MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella

Health workers give mothers a booklet to keep track of baby immunizations, schedules and basic information.

Sure, you can get these immunizations at a private clinic or a private hospital but be prepared to pay thousands of pesos.

Third, make sure that school-age children likewise receive free follow-up vaccinations, Health workers and doctors go to public schools to administer these shots. These are also available in health centers and public hospitals nationwide.

Grade 1 (Ages 6-7): Measles-Rubella (MR) and Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td)

Grade 4 (Ages 9-14): Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.

Grade 7 (Ages 12-13): Measles-Rubella (MR) and Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td)

Many LGUs also provide free PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for HIV prevention, as well as free ARVs (anti-retroviral) medications for persons with HIV. These could be availed at “social hygiene clinics” and treatment hubs run by LGUs.

For instance, the government announced last week that a shipment of 455,188 bottles of ARVs has been inspected and slated for immediate distribution. This is the first tranche of 1.2 million ARV bottles to be acquired and distributed this year.

Please support unions and labor organizations in fighting for mandatory private health insurance coverage from Day 1 of employment.

Companies often require sophisticated and expensive medical clearances for employment. The same companies should help maintain the good health of employees during employment, respect laws on sick leaves, and coordinate with private health insurance at all times employees need them.

Enrolling in Philhealth Yakap or in your health center’s family services would provide you with access to a doctor, health workers, services and medicines. This will empower you to keep yourselves healthy and manage different aspects of your health. More importantly, this will help you and your doctor avert serious ailments that might go undiagnosed and get serious if you don’t do preventive care.

By the time a senior member acquires a chronic ailment, the same Philhealth Yakap can also handle maintenance, make referrals tertiary hospitals or specialist care, order lab work, and provide maintenance medicines.

If you or your family are privileged to have generous private health insurance, good for you. But do know that free public health services are available. They are waiting to be availed. For free.

Whether public health services are efficient and adequate, today’s generation can and must provide feedback and insights to compel the national government, the Department of Health, Philhealth, and the local governments to improve them. But first, today’s youth and upcoming generation must engage, avail and make use of them.

Here’s to a future where no one needs to solicit help for health.