which covers at least 20 percent discount for the purchase of medicines in all drugstores and on medical and dental services. As part of the Government’s health sector reform agenda, under the Philippine Health Insurance System or Philhealth, persons with disabilities can apply for insurance coverage through organizations accredited by DSWD or NCWDP. The Government, through DSWD, pays for the premium or mandated contribution of persons with disabilities who cannot afford to shoulder this cost. They become beneficiaries of the Philhealth’s indigency program. Persons with disabilities who are employed or who have the resources to pay prescribed annual premiums, either monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually, can also avail themselves of private health insurance coverage aside from Philhealth. In order to obtain such insurance coverage from nongovernment entities, persons with disabilities are no longer required to undergo thorough medical examinations (unlike in the past) as a condition for coverage, unless they declare having serious ailments apart from their disability. Barriers in the full realization of right to health of women with disabilities Lack of access to basic and specialized health services Barriers remain in providing access to basic services for persons with disabilities. The limited infrastructural and health facilities especially in rural areas hamper the delivery of consistent high quality health services for persons with disabilities. There are still barangays without health centers despite the law’s mandate for every barangay to equip itself. “Malayo ang hospital sa bahay namin, nasa Davao City pa ‘yong ospital namin. Mga tatlong oras ‘yong biyahe. Mahal ang pamasahe papunta.” “Ako kasi nasa Poblacion, ‘yong parents ko naman nasa bukid, kaya kadalasan kapag may sakit sila, dumidiretso sila sa private clinic, kasi paminsan-minsan lang pumupunta ‘yong nurse sa barangay clinic. So, for safety purposes, dumidiretso na lang sila sa private.” In cases where there are clinics, it often lacks medicines needed by persons with disabilities. There are no health providers as well especially doctors to check on their conditions. “Sa amin, malapit lang ‘yong health center, pero walang gamut. Binigyan kami ng reseta tapos, nanghihingi lang ako sa munisipyo ng gamut. Pinapakita ko lang ‘yong reseta, binibigyan naman ako. Mahirap ko siyang ihatag. Pero kung grabe na ‘yong sakit, dadalhin ko na sa ospital pero malayo naman.” 13