MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday announced that PhilHealth has significantly increased its coverage for kidney transplant patients from P600,000 to P2.1 million.

Speaking during a visit to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), Marcos said the expanded benefit aims to ease the financial burden of patients suffering from chronic kidney disease, which he described as one of the most common illnesses in the country.

“For the first time, PhilHealth will now fully implement the Benefit Package for kidney transplant patients, which includes immunosuppressive medication, drug prophylaxis, antibiotics, and other essential treatment support,” he said.

The President also said support will be extended to kidney donors to ensure their recovery and overall well-being post-surgery.

Alongside the transplant coverage, PhilHealth also raised its dialysis session coverage from 144 to 156 sessions per year. The reimbursement per session was likewise increased from P4,000 to P6,350, bringing the total annual dialysis benefit to around P990,000 per patient.

Marcos emphasized the need to address the root cause of chronic kidney disease — diabetes — by promoting healthier eating habits among Filipinos, particularly the youth.

“Until we improve the situation in our people’s diets, PhilHealth is here, the government is here. We recognize the needs of our sick kababayans,” he said.

As part of the broader health push, the President also noted the ongoing construction of additional dialysis facilities at NKTI, expected to be operational by year-end.

To complement these efforts, Marcos added that more essential medicines for kidney patients have been added to the VAT-free list to help lower drug prices.