Free annual medical check-up ordinance gets Council nod

RESIDENTS of Cagayan de Oro can soon avail themselves of free annual medical check-ups in government hospitals and health facilities owned and operated by the city government.

This comes after the 20th City Council, in its regular session on Monday, presided over by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, enacted the Cagayan de Oro Free Annual Medical Check-up Ordinance which seeks to provide free comprehensive medical check-ups and laboratory exams, prioritizing senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Principally authored by Vice Mayor Rodriguez and co-authored by Councilor Maria Lourdes S. Gaane, the ordinance aims to enhance the city’s health programs by covering professional consultations, laboratory services, medicines, and other preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care in compliance with the Konsulta Program of PhilHealth and the Universal Health Care Law (R.A. 11223).

“Kini nga ordinansa naghatag og dakong garantiya ngadto sa katawhan nga aduna sila’y libreng access sa atong dekalidad nga healthcare services nga dili na sila mabug-atan sa mga balayronon susama sa gakahitabo karon,” VM Bebot said in her speech. “Health is a right, not a privilege for the few,” she emphasized.

The measure was filed on August 23, 2022, and underwent seven committee meetings under the Committee on Health, chaired by Councilor Ma. Lourdes Gaane, co-author of the ordinance.

VM Bebot expressed her gratitude to the 20th City Council, the Committee on Health, and Dr. Francis Ramos, Konsulta Focal Person of PhilHealth-10, for their support in refining and advancing the ordinance.

The ordinance applies to all PhilHealth members and their dependents registered with a PhilHealth-accredited Konsulta provider, with provisions for non-members upon registration.

The legislation was sponsored by the City Council committees on health, nutrition, and health insurance, chaired by Councilor Gaane, and on laws and rules, chaired by Councilor Edgar S. Cabanlas. (JAOclarit & JDOpema/SP)