THE mega Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija donated by Chinese businessman and philanthropist Huang Rulun to the Philippine government is set to open Tuesday, November 28, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
According to the DOH, everything is already set for the opening of the 10,000-bed facility, a few months after construction started.
The DOH was originally set to inaugurate the 100,000 square meter establishment last November 15 but had to be pushed back after encountering logistical and administrative issues.
In a previous interview, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said the facility is part of the Duterte administration's efforts to combat the drug menace in the country.
“We hope that it will really help the victims of the illegal drug trade. The patients are actually victims of the illegal drug trade so we want to ensure that they are provided adequate and compassionate services for rehabilitation,” said Ubial.
In a separate interview, DOH spokesman Dr. Eric Tayag related that the first batch of patients will come from the “overcrowded” drug rehabilitation facilities in Dagupan, Bataan, Tagaytay, and Bicutan.
Tayag said they are expecting some 2,000 patients to compose the first batch as each existing facility will send 500 individuals.
PhilHealth package
In a related development, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has established a Medical Detoxification Package for member-drug dependents.
Based on PhilHealth Circular No. 2016-0030, PhilHealth has approved a package rate amounting to P10,000 for the provision of mandatory medical detoxification services.
“All eligible members and dependents of the National Health Insurance Program, who need to undergo medical detoxification, can avail of this package as a one-time benefit availment,” said PhilHealth.
Services covered by the package include physical examination; mental status examination; neurological examination; urine test for methamphetamine or amphetamine type stimulants; complete blood count; diagnostics for urine, blood sugar, serum, creatinine; chest x-ray; and ECG.
Also to be provided are medicines D5 0.9 NaCl (adult) or D5 0.3 NaCl (pedia); as well as activated charcoal; sodium sulfate; Vitamin B complex; Benzodiazepine; antipsychotic medicines; and D50-50 as needed.
Eligible to avail are PhilHealth members and/or dependents that are found positive of methamphetamine through urine tests; and have signs and symptoms of acute toxicity from methamphetamine use as certified by the attending health care provider.
According to PhilHealth, the benefit package is the agency’s role in the government’s fight against the illegal drug menace.
“PhilHealth shall ensure the provision of the minimum standards of medical interventions to safely manage the acute physical symptoms of withdrawal associated with stopping drug use through a medical detoxification package,” said PhilHealth. (HDT/Sunnex)