PASIG CITY--- Special benefits for hearing, visual, mobility and neuro-developmental disabilities shall soon be provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

These benefit packages are currently being developed and are designed to provide early intervention for children with these disabilities. PhilHealth supports efforts to uplift the rights of children with disabilities (CWD) to special care, to enable them to live full and independent lives. As such, they become “active participants and contributors in their respective economies through education, inclusion and participation.”

On the occasion of its 21st Anniversary, PhilHealth announced that these special benefits will be available for CWDs who are 18 years old and below, with confirmed disabilities such as hearing, visual and mobility-impairment, and those with neuro-developmental disabilities, as screened by appropriate professionals.

According to a report by the United Nations Children’s Fund, one (1) out of seven (7) Filipino children, or around 5.1 million, are living with disabilities, 30 percent or 1.5 million of whom will need assistive technology. Likewise, only one (1) of 20 Filipino CWDs has access to assistive devices while 95 percent or 1.46 million have unmet needs for assistive technology.

“Every child has the right to live a normal life. If we have the means, who are we to deprive them of such right?” said PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Alexander A. Padilla. “We believe that these children have a significant role in society, whatever sector they may belong to,” he said. (END) (Michelle S. Nisperos)