𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝟓𝟒 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 ₱𝟐.𝟑𝐌 𝐈𝐍 𝐄𝐘𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐒
At least P2.3 million in out-of-pocket expenses was saved by 54 patients who otherwise would have had to seek cataract and pterygium surgery at tertiary hospitals in the city.
The patients heaved a sigh of relief after receiving the procedures free of charge during the recent three-day Capitol Medical and Surgical Mission held in Argao town, sparing them from the prohibitive cost of surgery.
Mindful that poor communities in the countryside struggle to access specialized care, the administration of Gov. Pamela Baricuatro has moved to close these gaps through the outreach program, which is part of the continuing health reforms being implemented by the Cebu Provincial Government.
𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞
To appreciate the savings, consider the prevailing rates. Using PhilHealth package rates as a baseline, cataract surgery without the lens costs about ₱20,000 per eye, while pterygium surgery is pegged at ₱15,000 per eye.
In private hospitals, the financial burden is far heavier, with cataract procedures range from ₱20,000 to ₱50,000 per eye, and pterygium surgery can cost anywhere from ₱15,000 to ₱30,000 per eye.
Assuming some patients required surgery on both eyes, the total cost at private hospital mid-range rates would reach approximately ₱2.3 million. This is the amount the patients would have collectively had to shoulder had the Capitol’s medical mission not intervened.
The mission delivered the following services:
• Surgical procedures: 162 major and minor surgeries, including cataract and pterygium removals, hernia repairs, gallbladder and goiter operations, and gynecologic procedures.
• Outpatient and diagnostics: 464 outpatient consultations and 464 diagnostic tests, including X-rays, electrocardiograms and blood chemistry tests.
• Optometry: The team provided 303 eye check-ups and distributed 277 eyeglasses.
• Dental: A total of 280 dental procedures were performed.
• HIV screening: A total of 169 individuals underwent HIV screening.
• Total patients served: 1,842
Despite the mission’s success, Capitol Piso Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan said that such activities remain mere stop-gap measures.
The permanent fix, she said, lies in upgrading Capitol-run hospitals until they acquire the capability to conduct complex procedures on their own every day.
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