PhilHealth starts animal bite treatment program

By Carlito C. Dar

BAGUIO CITY - - The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. has started an Animal Bite Treatment (ABT) Package for qualified members and their beneficiaries.

PhilHealth Cordillera regional information officer Maggie Del Rosario, said through the initiative of PhilHealth president and CEO Dr. Eduardo Banzon and in support of the National Rabies and Prevention and Control Program, members and their beneficiaries are now also covered for animal bite cases, particularly for the cost of Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) treatment.

According to Del Rosario, the ABT package offers members and their beneficiaries a maximum of P3,000 worth of health benefits against rabid animal bites primarily for dog bite victims.

But it also includes cases that involve other domestic animal such as cat, livestock animals such as cows, pigs, horses and goats, as well as animals such as bats and monkeys and covers wound treatment, anti-rabies vaccine, rabies immunoglobulin, anti-tetanus, and antibiotics if needed.

Del Rosario said aside from animal bite, the package also applies to members who were scratched and have wounds that pierced the flesh and were bloodied, or had wounds infected by saliva or fluids of rabid animals.

Del Rosario said the ABT package can be availed by members through consultations or confinement in PhilHealth accredited Animal Bite Centers.

Based on  the Department of Health- Center for Health and Development Cordillera data, animal bite treatment centers in the region include Baguio City Health Services Office; Abatan Emergency  Hospital, Kapangan Medical and Community Hospital and La Trinidad Rural Health Unit in Benguet; Ifugao General Hospital and Potia District Hospital in Ifugao; Kalinga Provincial Health office and Western Kalinga District Office in Kalinga; Bontoc District Hospital and Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital in Mt. Province; Abra Provincial Health office and La Paz District Office in Abra; and Apayao Provincial Hospital Hospital, the district hospitals of Apayao , Conner, Flora, and  the Pudtol Rural Health Unit in the province of Apayao.

PhilHealth data showed  animal bite was one top ten causes  of morbidity in the region.

For more information about this new health care benefit of PhilHealth, Del Rosario said   members can inquire at Philhealth offices, or the community health teams.