The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) lauds the efforts of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to provide financial benefits for women with cancer and other gynecological issues. Health security is an essential aspect of upholding the right to health and overall well-being of women. 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 its huge implications to their welfare and economic security.

The Z Benefit packages of PhilHealth covers some gynecologic illnesses, which include early stage breast cancer (stage 0 to III-A). Coverage amount is PhP100,000 inclusive of surgery and chemotherapy, among others. Women with cervical cancer can also avail a PhilHealth benefit package amounting to PhP125,000 or PhP175,000 based on treatment options.

Other benefits offered by PhilHealth covers the treatment for gynecological problems including ovarian cystectomy, vaginal hysterectomy, dilatation and curettage, and mastectomy. PhilHealth reminded that a selection criteria has been determined to ensure high survival rates and better health outcomes.

Breast and cervical cancer are the most common cancer amongst women in the Philippines. CHR is hopeful that the health security packages will help lessen the burden of many women suffering from cancer and other gynecologic illnesses. Affording women with health security also ensures their economic security and overall well-being, which is critical to achieving genuine gender equality and women empowerment.

Women’s health is an important aspect of family life, community life, and nation-building for women nurture and raise the next generation of our society. CHR looks forward to parallel efforts to prevent the common health issues of women to ensure their long term vitality. We urge the incoming the administration to continue to prioritize the health of women through efforts that address their specific needs and to remove the multiple burdens that impede their rights.