THE Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program (NOCHP) is now under review with the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson revealed that the regional director of the Department of Health (DOH) has already assured that Negros will get more funds with the implementation of the UHC.
The Implementing Rules and Regulation of the UHC is expected to come out on October 8.
The UHC will cover all the expenses of patients who will be admitted to the government hospitals including laboratory fees.
“Maybe we can cover medicines for patients who will be coming out from the hospitals with NOCHP," Lacson said.
NOCHP, which has been implemented in the province since the previous administration, is seen as almost the same to the UHC Law.
In the year 2020, the recommended budget for NOCHP is P120 million. But Lacson said it would still depend once the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the UCH Law IRR is already available.
“We expect to reduce the cost of NOCHP,” Lacson added.
Like UHC patients, cardholders of NOCHP also avails zero billing at government hospitals.
Lacson also revealed that he has already asked Senator Christopher “Bong” Go to cover the Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital with his Malasakit Center.
All the district hospitals run and managed by the provincial government are not yet covered with the Malasakit Center.