Is there a better way of knowing satisfied clients than meeting them face-to-face and listening to their stories first-hand? Sometimes, we need to step out of our comfort zones and find time to personally hear their stories to realize whether or not our services are really addressing their needs.

Although some may have reservations about letting their lives out in the open, there are some who choose to share their heartwarming tales to touch others’ lives – to be of help to others at some point.

It was a cloudy Monday morning when a composite team from PhilHealth explored the areas of Quezon City and Rizal for a week of field monitoring. The group was excited and hopeful that they will bring home inspiring stories and positive feedback from satisfied Z benefit package recipients.

PRECIOUS

In 2013, Precious Erin Arandia was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) causing financial burden to her family. Ren was only 2 ½ years old when her family brought her to the hospital due to high fever. This was when they learned of Ren’s real condition.

Rowena, 36, a housewife, takes care of Ren while her husband works as a high school teacher in a public school in Antipolo. When Ren’s condition was made known to her husband’s colleagues, a school principal informed them of the Z benefit package of PhilHealth which is being offered at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, one of PhilHealth’s contracted hospitals for ALL.

The couple found renewed hope after hearing the news. Trying their fate, they did not hesitate to transfer Ren to PCMC and applied for Z benefits. After months of waiting, Ren passed the selections criteria set for ALL and started her treatment. She availed of the Z benefits for her chemotherapy sessions that covered the entire three years of treatment.

Rowena expressed her gratitude for the help they have received from PhilHealth to continuously meet Ren’s medical needs.

“Masayang masaya kami, malaking tulong sa amin (referring to PhilHealth), sa chemotherapy ni Ren.”

“Pag nagki-chemo kami hindi na kami nahihirapan kung saan hahanap ng pera, kung saan kukunin ang pang chemo niya, pambayad sa ospital, pang laboratory. Yung sa Z package ok na e, solve na kami dun,” Rowena narrates.

Ren is already in the 4th cycle of her maintenance phase and is continuously showing signs of improvement. At a very young age, she exhibits a strong personality, determined to face life’s challenges head-on.

The precious child who once seemed helpless is now back to her playful self, who loves to tell tales just like her spider story.

PAYING IT FORWARD

“Bilang pasasalamat, gumagawa ako ng pagkain para sa mga kidney patients”, shares teary-eyed Maria.

Unlike the others, Maria (not her real name) was blessed with a good life. She runs her own business, has two children who are now doing well in their chosen fields, and a husband who is currently employed in a well-paying job.

Until the unfortunate turn of events put their faith to test. Maria was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease requiring kidney transplantation.

After a year of dialysis treatments, a perfect match kidney was wholeheartedly offered by her friend, which made Maria decide to undergo kidney transplantation.

Maria underwent transplantation in August 2014 and availed herself of the Z benefit package of PhilHealth worth P600,000 that covers payment for use of hospital facilities, medicines and professional fees.

“Natutuwa ako sa PhilHealth lalo na noong malaman ko ang presyo ng gamot, yung isa P50,000 yung isa P100,000. Pati ang laboratory test after transplant kinover ng PhilHealth,” Maria says.

The ill-fated event brought Maria to life’s realization - consider every hardship a blessing from God. “Importante ang prayers…dumating sa akin ang mga blessing… na may PhilHealth, may donor, dahil kay Lord lahat iyan.”

It also made Maria appreciate the importance of being a PhilHealth member regardless of financial status in life. “Hindi naman sa yaman ‘yan. May mga mayayaman din na nasosobrahan ng gastos sa ospital...bumabagsak dahil sa presyo ng gamot. Kaya lahat ng kausap ko sinasabihan ko na magpamember kasi napakalaking tulong ng PhilHealth,” Maria stated.

“Napakamura lang (PhilHealth premium) para isecure mo ang kalusugan mo at ng pamilya mo,” she added.

The gift of a second life pushed Maria to share whatever help she can offer especially to those in need – a perfect time to pay it forward.

RENEWED HEART, RENEWED LIFE

Fifty-five-year-old Edgardo Arban, a native of Butuan City, underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) at the Philippine Heart Center. He is working as a hospital staff in a public health care facility in Quezon City.

For an ordinary employee like Mang Edgar, his monthly salary is just enough for his family’s daily needs and he could not afford additional expenses such as the high cost of heart surgery.

Until one day, the doctor informed him that he could avail himself of the PhilHealth benefit for CABG under its Z package. Mang Edgar underwent a successful surgery in August 2014 and was among the satisfied recipients of the Z benefit package.

“Maraming maraming salamat at mayroong ganitong programa kasi kung wala ito siguro wala na ako. Dito ako nabuhay muli ... Kung walang PhilHealth wala akong ibang malalapitan ng tulong.”

Mang Edgar has returned to work with a renewed heart, stronger than before.

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THE UNEXPECTED

“Hindi namin inexpect na totally wala na kaming babayaran,” said the 44-year-old Irma, wife of kidney transplant patient and Z benefit recipient John Philip Pecebre.

Both John and Irma are employed, with the latter teaching in a Christian school but not as a regular employee. When John was hospitalized at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in March 2014, Irma never failed to check their hospital balance from time to time and was worried of how much it will cost them. “Every two hours baba ako ng baba sa accounting (hospital) para i-check ang balance namin,” Irma narrated.

John was lucky enough that he need not wait long enough to be lined-up for a transplant since his kidney matched perfectly with that of his brother-donor. Irma recalls that they prayed earnestly for the siblings’ kidneys to be of perfect match, “pray kami ng pray na magmatch talaga,” says Irma.

When asked about the hospital’s services, “from the very start maayos ang service.” Simula sa umpisa at natapos po ang transplant ay naging maayos ang karanasan namin sa ospital, doctor na tumingin sa asawa ko at nag follow-up,” Irma replied.

Aside from the seamless hospital service, Irma was also very delighted and thankful of the benefits his husband has availed himself of from PhilHealth.

“Napakaganda po ng karanasan namin sa PhilHealth kasi unang-una sa lahat hindi namin inakala na makocover po ang entire kidney transplant ng asawa ko and meron pa kaming nareimburse.”

“Nagpapasalamat kami at nabigyan kami ng opportunity na maipahatid po sa inyo ang taos-puso naming pasasalamat sa inyo pong napakalaking tulong sa amin. Actually, ito po ay alam naman ng marami na milyon dapat ang gugugulin dito pero dahil po sa Z package ay na-avail po namin ito ng libre. Maraming marami pong salamat.”

Satisfied of what they have availed from PhilHealth, Irma encourages those non-members to be PhilHealth members.

“Sa mga hindi pa po miyembro, hinihikayat ko po kayo na maging miyembro ng PhilHealth dahil po napakaganda ng tulong na kanila pong nagagawa. Ang pamilya po namin talagang malaki’ng utang na loob sa kanila. Alam po namin na hindi lang kami, maraming marami pong tao pa ang matutulungan ng PhilHealth.”

PhilHealth is continuously conducting its field monitoring nationwide to ensure proper implementation of its Z benefit packages and to make its benefits more responsive to the needs of its members. (END) (Michelle S. Nisperos)