PhilHealth covers heatstroke, other related illnesses
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Monday reminded the public that it provides coverage for common summer-related illnesses just as the weather bureau warned that the heat index will reach “dangerous” levels in at least 26 areas today.
This number is expected to rise to 28 areas by Wednesday, based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (Pagasa) 5 p.m. forecast on Monday. Among these areas, 21 will experience dangerous levels of heat index on both Tuesday and Wednesday, Pagasa said.
These places will have a heat index that ranges from 42 to 51 degrees Celsius, which falls in the “danger” category of the heat index chart. Pagasa warns that such heat could cause heat cramps and heat exhaustion, while continued exposure could lead to heatstroke.
PhilHealth, meanwhile, said the following inpatient packages are available at accredited hospitals nationwide:
• Heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat collapse, heat cramp and sunstroke, P12,675
• Heat fatigue and other effects of heat and light, P18,135
• Moderate to severe dehydration, P7,800
•Varicella/chickenpox without complication, P7,800
• Typhoid fever, P19,500
• Sore eyes/conjunctivitis, P16,575
• Infectious diarrhea/acute gastroenteritis, P11,700
• Toxic effect of contact with fish and other marine animals such as jellyfish, sea anemone, shellfish and starfish, P11,115
The state health insurer also stressed that members and their dependents are covered by the Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit package, which can be availed at any accredited level 1 to 3 hospital.
Until end-May
Pagasa announced on March 26 the end of the northeast monsoon and the start of the dry season, with dangerous levels of temperature expected to persist until the end of May.
This also coincides with the so-called “summer season,” where travel and outdoor activities in the country peak and, consequently, puts a number of Filipinos at risk for summer- and heat-related illnesses.
The weather bureau said San Ildefonso, Bulacan, will have the highest heat index on Tuesday at 46 C, which will go down slightly on Wednesday at 45 C. Dagupan City, Pangasinan, will have the second highest heat index on Tuesday at 45 C, which is expected to last until Wednesday.
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, meanwhile, is forecast to have a heat index of 44 C on Tuesday until Wednesday.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), the public should treat heat indices ranging from 33 C to 41 C with “extreme caution,” while from 42 C to 51 C as “dangerous” and 52 C and higher as “extremely dangerous.”
“Such temperatures can lead to heat cramps and heat exhaustion, characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, headache, vomiting and light-headedness,” it said.
“Prolonged heat exposure increases the probability of heatstroke, a serious condition characterized by loss of consciousness, confusion, or seizures, which can be deadly if left untreated,” it added.
Deaths may be due to heat-related illnesses (including heatstroke) or “heat-influenced” (for example, underlying high risk for heart attack, worsened by the hot environment that led to high blood pressure).
The DOH advised the public to take preventive measures such as drinking plenty of water and wearing loose-fitting and lightweight clothing.
The heat index, which differs from the actual temperature, is based on the apparent temperature, or the heat experienced by humans in their bodies. It is measured by combining the data of the air temperature and the relative humidity of an area.
