Senator Win Gatchalian welcomed the government’s strides in expanding access to healthcare, as highlighted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The chief executive emphasized the construction of new specialty centers nationwide. As co-author of the Regional Specialty Centers Act (Republic Act No. 11959), which was signed in 2023, Gatchalian championed the creation of at least one specialty center in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals in every region within five years. Specialty centers are units or departments in hospitals offering specialized care in addressing particular conditions.

The President also mentioned in his SONA the importance of the increased benefits offered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), as well as the move to simplify the process of accessing medical assistance through its upcoming integration into the eGov app. “Pumunta ka lang sa isang public hospital wala ka nang babayaran. ‘Yun talaga ang gusto nating ibigay sa ating mga kababayan,” said Gatchalian.

The SONA further noted that PhilHealth covers free dialysis, heart surgeries, cancer aid, rehab for PWDs, and treatment for child malnutrition, among others.