“Nahadlok ako hin duro para ha akon ngan ha akon pamilya. Baga hiya hin maraot nga inop nga waray ako magdahum na mananabo didi ha amon probinsya,” (I was so afraid for myself and my family. It was like a nightmare that I didn’t expect will occur in our province) said CrisalynCumpio as she recalled how Super Typhoon Yolanda ravaged her hometown, Tacloban City, three years ago. Crisalyn, 25 years old, is the mother of a one year old baby, Chaelle Jan Gabriel Gamus.

As Crisalyn slowly rebuilt her family’s life after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda, she is yet facing another challenge, which will ultimately put her faith and resilience to the test.

Crisalyn’s heart raced as she observed her son, Chaelle, fight for his life through three days of difficulty in breathing. This led her to bring Chaelle to the nearest hospital despite financial constraints. After conducting a series of laboratory examinations, the physician decided to have her son confined due to his critical condition. Crisalyn narrated how she sweated profusely and her hands got clammy as the doctor explained the health condition of her son who had been diagnosed with pneumonia.

“May humarani ha akon nga taga-PhilHealth han nakada ako ha admission. Gin-saysay niya ha akon kun paunano ako mabubuligan ha PhilHealth han akon mga baraydan han pagpa-hospital ha akon anak,” (A PhilHealth staff approached me while I was in the admission area, and stated that PhilHealth can help me with my son’s hospital expenses) said Crisalyn.

Having no health insurance coverage at the time her son was admitted, Crisalyn was eventually enrolled under PhilHealth’s provision of special privileges to those affected by fortuitous events. Under PhilHealth Circular 0034, s.2013, all provinces that suffered or experienced fortuitous events, described as “acts of God” such as floods or typhoons, or “acts of man” like rebellion and insurgencies, can avail themselves of PhilHealth benefits whether or not they are PhilHealth members, including their dependents. This policy will remain effective until December 31, 2016 in Region VIII only.

After four (4) days of hospital confinement, baby Chaelle showed marked improvement and was ready for discharge. The PhilHealth CARES staff in the hospital explained to Crisalyn that professional fees and hospital bills were covered by PhilHealth through the “No Balance Billing” policy.

After the incident, Crisalyn decided to become an active PhilHealth member and to seek a permanent job to sustain the medical treatment of her son.

“Tungod han bulig nga dara han PhilHealth ha akon pamilya, nakita ko an importansya han pag-inandam ha nga tanan nga panahon han kalamidad. Salit gin-aaghat ko an tanan nga magpamiyembro ngan magin aktibo han pagbabayad hin kontribusyon han PhilHealth tungod kay kabatunan han PhilHealth an kahimsug han iyo bug-os nga pamilya,” (Through the help provided by PhilHealth to my family, I was able to realize the importance of being prepared for any disaster at all times. Thus, I am encouraging everyone to become a member and actively pay for their premium contributions because PhilHealth shall take care of your whole family’s health),she concluded. (END) (Dianna S. Chua)