A total of 267 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Sorsogon City District Jail (SCDJ) can now access health care services and packages after being registered under the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s (PhilHealth) Yaman at Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) early this week.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Bicol (BJMP-5) said 258 male and nine female PDLs were registered under the program as part of efforts to ensure their access to health care services and benefits.
Jail Senior Inspector Ronald Jessie Selga, chief of the BJMP-5 Health Service Division, led Monday’s registration activity alongside personnel from PhilHealth-5 and the SCDJ Health Service Unit.
“The initiative aims to help ensure that PDLs are registered with PhilHealth and can access applicable health insurance benefits and services while under government custody,” he said.
For the BJMP, providing health care to PDLs is part of its duty to ensure humane custodial management. Access to health services supports PDLs’ rehabilitation and well-being during confinement.
BJMP and PhilHealth continue to collaborate to promote accessible health care and social protection, especially for vulnerable groups who may face challenges in accessing government services.
Selga added that the YAKAP registration at SCDJ is part of ongoing efforts by government agencies to ensure that essential health services reach all Filipinos, including persons deprived of liberty.
YAKAP is an enhanced consultation package that includes a variety of additional services.
Under the program, PhilHealth members and their dependents are entitled to free consultations, health screenings, and diagnostic and laboratory services, including ECG, chest X-rays, blood tests, and urinalyses.
The program also covers cancer screening tests, such as mammograms and breast exams, and provides access to essential medications for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and infections.
To avail of the program, PhilHealth members must register with YAKAP-accredited facilities.
According to the latest data, PhilHealth Bicol has 210 YAKAP-accredited facilities. (PNA)