MANILA, Philippines — Persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) will be given access to expanded health services under a new agreement between the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
Under the memorandum of agreement signed on Oct. 5, PhilHealth and BJMP will ensure that PDLs are registered with PhilHealth and receive member services, including their Member Data Record and PhilHealth identification card.
PDLs will also be assigned to accredited Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) Clinics, where they can access free consultations, laboratory tests, X-rays and medicines for various illnesses.
The agreement forms part of efforts to improve access to health services for PDLs through the enhanced PhilHealth YAKAP program.
“Even behind bars, a person does not lose the right to be cared for, heard and given the opportunity to be healthy,” PhilHealth said.
The initiative is in line with the principles of Universal Health Care, according to PhilHealth.
