Because PWDs mobility is constraint by their impairment, the local government units have the obligation to provide one-stop health centers within the locality to facilitate the regular check-up and health monitoring of PWDs’ conditions. “There is a need for every municipality to have designated doctors for each chronic illness such as psoriasis, lupus, persons with kidney problems, etc.” “PWDs experience depression as well. We need a psychologist in every municipality, a counselor, and a dietician clinic for PWDs.” Rather than PWDs traveling far to look for treatment, the government needs to reach out to PWDs by bringing closer the services to where it is needed through regular medical missions particularly in remotes areas. “It is difficult for PWDs to go to cities to get treatment. Bring the services where it is needed especially in remote areas.” Expensive health maintenance cost and inadequate social protection Maintenance treatments and medicines either to stop or delay the progress of further disabilities are among the daily struggles face by women with disabilities particularly those experiencing chronic illness such as lupos, psoriasis, kidney problem, diabetes complication and psychosocial disability. While the government provides free medical assistance for three to six months, it is insufficient to sustain a lifetime illness. In some cases, PWDs experience delays in getting the needed maintenance medicine due to government’s stringent paper requirements. “Sa health siguro ang masasabi kong nasa akin na lahat, kasi may monthly check-up ako dahil diabetic ako. At the age of 29, I was diagnosed with diabetes. Mayroon din akong diperensya sa heart. Ngayon, Insulin-dependent na ako. Every 8 p.m kailangan kong maginject ng gamut. Ako na lang ang nag-iinject sa sarili ko, kaya hirap na hirap talaga ako sa aking maintenance, kasi ang mahal ng mga gamut. ‘Yong honorarium ko this month inuutang ko na iyan for the next month, kasi hindi pwedeng hindi ako makainom ng maintenance. Kapag ganoon, hindi ako makakapagtrabaho. Ang maintenance ko sa diabetes ay mayroon akong tablet, Insulin tapos, -may Calcium din ako and mayroon din ako sa heart. Then, may monthly check-up ako, kaya minsan, nanghihingi ako ng assistance from DSWD. Binibigyan naman nila ako, kaya lang limitado ‘yong binibigay kasi marami din naman ‘yong nanghihingi.” Social protection for persons with disabilities particularly in terms of health coverage is inadequate in the country. Persons with disabilities are not automatically covered by the Philippine Health Insurance System (PhilHealth). While persons with disabilities can avail 15

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