𝐆𝐎𝐕. 𝐏𝐀𝐌 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐇𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐏𝐇 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐍
Gov. Pamela Baricuatro on Thursday led the launch of the mammography service at the Cebu Provincial Hospital (CPH) in Balamban as the Capitol expands access to breast cancer screening.
Rather than a ceremonial gesture, Gov. Baricuatro underwent the mammogram to demonstrate confidence in the hospital’s new service while encouraging women to undergo regular breast cancer screening and not delay early detection.
“It doesn’t matter whether I serve one term, two terms, or three terms. What matters is serving the people,” the governor said.
The Balamban facility is one of four Capitol-run hospitals now equipped with mammography units, alongside CPH-Bogo, CPH-Carcar, and CPH-Danao.
The machines, delivered about two months ago, became operational after completing the regulatory requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure they are properly installed and safe for patient use.
The screening service is covered under PhilHealth YAKAP for qualified beneficiaries who undergo the required clinical assessment and referral.
PhilHealth provides a P2,610 benefit package covering the mammography procedure, equipment use, supplies, and the professional fee for reading the results.
“Dako kaayo siyag tabang kay patients will not have to travel far to avail of this service,” Capitol Piso Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan said.
Catalan said patients who are not PhilHealth members will pay P2,100, which is still significantly lower than the rates charged by most private hospitals. The amount covers the reader’s professional fee and equipment maintenance.
Patients are advised to consult their YAKAP Clinic or attending physician for assessment and referral.
Expanding access to mammography is part of the efforts of the administration of Gov. Baricuatro to improve early detection of breast cancer, which remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Filipino women.
Based on 2024 estimates by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the Philippines recorded 28,124 new breast cancer cases and 11,160 deaths.
Check this also: Gov. Pam Highlights Cebu Healthcare Reforms to Accelerate Universal Health Care Implementation
