Senate Health and Demographic Joint Hearing

During the Senate Health and Demographic Joint Hearing last October 2, 2024, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, DOH and Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists (IPAO) represented by Dr. Charlie L. Ho highlighted the importance of preventive eye care and the inclusion of optometric services and prescription eyeglasses coverage by Philhealth to enable early detection of eye and vision problem in children. Dr. Ho pointed out that many eye issues and even blindness are preventable with early intervention, but many Filipinos lack access to primary eye care from optometrists.

Committee Chair Senator Bong Go urged PhilHealth to support vision care services especially for children to improve learning and academic performance and also prevent complications of myopia like early cataract, retinal problems. The hearing concluded by Philhealth Chief Operating Officer Atty Eli Dino Santos reiterating their commitment to cover optometric services by November 30, 2024 in line with and consistent with the purpose of The Universal Health Care Law. Dr Ho thanked Senator Bong Go for championing the cause of the optometrists and the Philhealth leadership led by PCEO Mandy Ledesma and COO Atty Eli Dino Santos for their swift action to address the eye care needs of the Filipino people. The IPAO is also grateful to Cong. Wilbert Lee of Agri Party-list for his tireless effort to include Philhealth coverage of optometric services which will benefit millions of Filipinos especially the poor.

The hearing was also attended by Dr. John U. Nakpil, IPAO President, Dr. Mildred Pre, Chairman of PSPHOO, Hon. Christine Samson-Rodriguez and Hon. Fides F. Masanga of the Board of Optometry.