Universal Health Care Act (PhilHealth Benefits)
Republic Act No. 11223, recognized as the Philippine Universal Health Care Act, has been formally enacted. This legislation ensures that all Filipino citizens are automatically enrolled in PhilHealth, thereby granting access to a comprehensive range of essential health services. Moreover, the act introduces considerable reforms throughout the healthcare system.
In October 2019, Secretary of Health Francisco Duque approved the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) pertinent to this significant legislation. On July 30, 2019, the Optometric Association of the Philippines, Inc. submitted a position paper to Secretary Duque, advocating for the inclusion of optometry within the scope of the Universal Health Care Act.
The Optometric Association of the Philippines (OAP) expresses its sincere appreciation to the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology (PAO), particularly to Dr. Jessica Marie Abaño, President, and Dr. Carlos Naval, Secretary, for their openness to engage in exploratory discussions regarding potential collaborations. Collectively, our organizations aspire to positively influence the successful implementation of the Universal Health Care Act, particularly in emphasizing the essential role of optometrists in vision screening for young children, primary eye care, and the improvement of primary health care facilities.
POSITION PAPER OF THE OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES
RE: INCLUSION OF OPTOMETRIC SERVICES IN THE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT
Submitted by:
The Public Health Committee of the Optometric Association of the Philippines
July 30, 2019
Submitted to:
Ms. Maylene Beltran
Director IV
Department of Health
Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Definition of Optometry
II. State Policy
III. Why Optometry
IV. Prevalence of Blindness in the World and in the Philippines
V. Myopia: As a Global Health Issue
VI. Optometry, Universal Health Care and Eye Health
VII. Competency Level of Optometry According to the World Council of Optometry
VIII. Professional continuing education programs of the OAP
IX. CHED Memo on Optometry Curriculum
X. Suggested provision of optometric services through the different LGUs in the Philippines
XI. OAP joint project with LGU, DSWD AND UNDP 2017
XII. Contact Persons/ Information
I. DEFINITION OF OPTOMETRY ACCORDING TO REPUBLIC ACT
8050: Revised Optometry Law of 1995 - AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF OPTOMETRY, UPGRADING OPTOMETRIC EDUCATION, INTEGRATING OPTOMETRISTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Section 3: A
(a) “Optometry” – The science and art of examining the human eye, analyzing the ocular function, prescribing and dispensing ophthalmic lenses, prisms, contact lenses and their accessories and solutions, low vision aids, and similar appliances and devices, conducting ocular exercises, vision training, orthoptics, installing prosthetics, using authorized diagnostic pharmaceutical agents (DPA), and other preventive or corrective measures or procedures for the aid, correction, rehabilitation or relief of the human eye, or to attain maximum vision and comfort.
II. State Policy:
Republic Act 8050 Section 2 also states that:
SEC. 2. Declaration of State Policy. – The State recognizes the essential role of optometry as a profession in safeguarding and enhancing the health and general physical well-being of the citizenry. Optometric services shall therefore be promoted as a regular component of the primary health care system.
III. Why Optometry
The Optometric Association of the Philippines is an active member of the World Council of Optometry and the Asia Pacific Council of Optometry. According to an information released by the World Council of Optometry, there are an estimated 153 Million people who are either blind or vision impaired due to uncorrected distance refractive error. Mostly in the developing world like the Philippines, these blinding conditions are unrecognizable or undetectable.
Globally there are 285 Million people who are visually impaired and 107.8 Million have uncorrected refractive distance refractive error. 517 million people with near visual impairment due to uncorrected presbyopia.
Over 90% of these conditions are found in lower and middle income sector of the societies.
IV. Prevalence of Blindness in the World and in the Philippines
During the WCO (World Council of Optometry) symposium held on June 18, 2019 at the 22 nd Asia Pacific Optometry Congress held in Manila, hosted by the Optometric Association of the Philippines, IAPB report shared by Dr Drew Keys mentioned that theres much work to be done and much work being done to address the avoidable blindness situation in the AP Region.
The third National Survey on Blindness (2011) report by Dr. Leo Cubillan and Dr. Eva Santos from the Institute of Ophthalmology, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, cataract remains as the most common cause of blindness (62% of all persons with bilateral blindness), and error of refraction (53%) is the most common cause of low vision. The current prevalence of bilateral blindness is 46% lower than the 1987 prevalence (1.07%, p < 0.001) and 17% lower than the 1995 prevalence (0.70%, p = 0.108).
Nationwide, the prevalence of visual impairment (VA worse than 6/18 in the better eye) is 4.62%; the prevalence of bilateral blindness [VA less than counting finger (CF) at 3 meters] is 0.58%, monocular blindness is 0.71%, bilateral low vision (VA worse than 6/18 but equal to or better than CF at 3 meters) 1.43%, and monocular low vision 0.87%. Regionally, the prevalence of blindness is from 0.16% to 1.08% and low vision 0.60% to 4.07%.
The report concluded that there are over 400,000 bilaterally blind people in the Philippines, of which 62% is due to cataract. The prevalence of blindness has been reduced compared with the 1987 and 1995 national surveys. Vision 2020 Philippines has contributed to this reduction. With continued support and implementation of the blindness prevention program, the prevalence is expected to be reduced to the WHO target of less than 0.5% by year 2020.
It is estimated that the financial burden on economy due to uncorrected distance and near refractive error is ≥ US$227.36 billion while the estimated cost of correction of distance vision is between US$20 billion and US$28 billion.
V. Myopia as a GLOBAL HEALTH ISSUE
Business Mirror Article
By: Carmen Abesamis-Dichoso
Published May 2019
Myopia, or near sightedness, has taken on epidemic proportions globally. It is estimated that around 30% of the world population currently suffer from myopia in both its mild and high forms. In its report, “The Impact of Myopia and High Myopia,” the World Health Organization estimates that, by 2050, as total of 5,000,000,000 people worldwide, or a staggering 49.8% of the world’s population, will suffer from this vision defect. 938 million of that number will suffer from high myopia.
The Asia-‐Pacific region, specifically Southeast Asia (including the Philippines), will be hardest hit.
What has brought about the widespread onset of this debilitating vision disease? Recent scientific studies point to a host of causes. One of them is the lack of exposure to natural sunlight, especially for children. A study in Australia followed 101 children and their outdoor activities. It found that kids spending more time outside were less likely to develop myopia. Another factor identified by researchers is the prolonged used, again especially by children, of devices such as computers, tablets and cell phones. The results point to lengthy near activity as a culprit. Surprisingly (or not), excessive reading has also been flagged.
Vision care professionals, including optometrists, are now devising ways to manage, or control, myopia. It appears the condition is irreversible. Management, or control, has now been espoused as the method for dealing with myopia. The traditional method of just prescribing lenses has been put to question, as studies have shown that it does not reverse but actually worsens the condition. Myopia control in the form of orthokeratology where patients wear special contact lenses designed to reshape the curvature of their cornea while they sleep; prescribing double vision lenses, or soft multifocal contact lenses even to children; and the use of atropine, an eye drop, have been gaining acceptability.
In many parts of Asia Pacific Region quality eye care delivery in not readily available, accessible nor affordable. The congress aims to address a united statement on what can be a collaborative effort to address the problem of myopia and how each member country be part of the solution together with the community and family.
Evidence supported studies states that as soon as a child below 9 years old acquires myopia, the most likelihood that it will go up to a level of becoming a disease – i.e. higher than 6 diopters – the child has a high risk of developing – cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment and maculopathy. High degrees of myopia may lead to visual impairment. The person with this visual disability then poses a huge economic burden to the society, to the family and to the nation as a whole.
Optometrists can perform early detection and effective myopia management of different eye health conditions both in children and adults.
VI. Optometry, Universal Health Care, and Eye Health
Universal health care is a great vehicle for access, availability and affordability of Optometric services to ALL people. IAPB regards UHC as the great “equalizer” – because it brings health care to ALL regardless of economic status and condition. This is a welcome opportunity especially to those in the low and middle income societies.
Optometry is one of the stakeholders that is more than willing to join the effort to realize one day that nobody should be needlessly blind and this is only possible through comprehensive eye care service.
Optometry plays a big role in health promotion through good eye health education possible through training and educating the public (patient, parent, and school children), teachers, nurses, and barangay health workers on proper eye care, vision screening and identifying signs and symptoms of visual problems, social media presence, press media relations, tv and radio.
VII. Competency Level of Optometry According to the World Council of Optometry
VIII. Professional continuing education programs of the OAP
IX. CHED Memo on Optometry Curriculum
X. Suggested provision of optometric services through the different LGUs in the Philippines
XI. OAP joint project with LGU, DSWD and UNDP 2017
Optometry has partnered and collaborated with different NGO and GOs to move forward and implement its national eye health programs through Local society members located in 17 regions in the Philippines
1. DepEd
2. Rotary
3. SPED
4. Lions
5. Special Olympics Philippines
6. Physicians for Peace
7. Asia Pacific Council of Optometry
8. World Council of Optometry
9. Lions International
10. Essilor Foundation
11. Special Olympics International
Our International Affairs Committee Chair, Dr. Carmen Abesamis-Dichoso, represented the World Council of Optometry in the recently held Wester Pacific Region meeting of the World Health Organization.
Dr. May Suit Ho from the Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI) has been invited to the Philippines through – to share to the Asia Pacific Council of Optometry members and attendees of the 22 nd ASIA PACIFIC OPOMETRY CONGRESS on June 17-20, 2019, their advocacy programs for eye health and optometry in the region.
XII. Contact Persons
OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES
Website: oap.com.ph
Email: [email protected]
Address: 223 Executive Tower 2, Cityland, Buendia, Barangay Pio Del Pilar, Makati City
Bernadette Fellazar, OD, RN
President, OAP2019-2020
Email: [email protected]
Benita M. Soltura, OD, BSPharm, DPA
Chair, Public Health Committee, OAP
Board of Trustees, Past President 2019-2020
Email: [email protected]
Jehan Zaragoza-Echavez, OD, RN, DPA
Member, Public Health Committee, OAP
Vice President and President Elect 2019-2020
Email: [email protected]
Douren Espina, OD, RN
Member, Public Health Committee, OAP
Optometric Association of the Philippines
Treasurer, 2019-2020
Email: [email protected]
Rheza Marisse Badon-Tabasuares, OD, DPA
Immediate Past President, OAP
Advocacy Fellow, World Council of Optometry
Email: [email protected]
Carmen Abesamis-Dichoso, OD, MAT, FIACLE, FPCO, FAAO
International Affairs Committee Chair, OAP 2019-2020
Asia Pacific Council of Optometry- Treasurer
World Council of Optometry-
Membership Committee Member
Legislation, Regulations and Standards Committee Member
Secretary OAP 2019-20209
Email: [email protected]
