Healthtech social enterprise 1Life, Inc. has partnered with Singapore Diagnostics (SGD) to offer free laboratory tests to PhilHealth members enrolled within the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), a move aimed toward improving access to preventive healthcare services across the country.
Under the partnership, YAKAP patients under 1Life may avail of nine diagnostic tests for gratis in 23 participating SGD branches across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The agreement was formalized through a memorandum of agreement signed by officials of 1Life and SGD in Pasig City.
The covered tests include complete blood count, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, oral glucose tolerance test, HbA1C, urinalysis, fecalysis, fecal occult blood test, and creatinine testing, that are commonly used to detect diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular conditions.
The partnership seeks to deal with barriers to early disease detection, particularly in geographically isolated and financially challenged communities.
“This partnership significantly expands our ability to bring preventive healthcare closer to communities which have historically had limited access to quality diagnostics,” 1Life President Niño Namoco said in an e-mail interview.
“For a lot of Filipinos, especially those in geographically isolated or financially challenged communities, the fee and availability of laboratory testing often turn into barriers to early diagnosis. By removing those barriers, we will detect diseases earlier, intervene sooner, and stop avoidable complications which can be way more difficult and expensive to treat later,” he added.
YAKAP is PhilHealth’s preventive healthcare program that gives screening and early intervention services to members and their dependents no matter age. As an accredited YAKAP provider, 1Life facilitates access to those advantages through its healthcare network.
Mr. Namoco said awareness stays considered one of the fundamental challenges in increasing using preventive healthcare services.
“Now we have seen growing interest from communities once people understand that these preventive services can be found through PhilHealth for gratis. Nevertheless, awareness stays considered one of the most important challenges,” he said.
“Many Filipinos are still unfamiliar with the preventive advantages they’re entitled to, including laboratory screening before symptoms appear. This highlights the importance of stronger information campaigns and community engagement,” he added.
In response to Mr. Namoco, preventive healthcare plays a critical role in addressing the country’s growing burden of chronic diseases.
“Lots of the country’s leading causes of illness — including diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and heart problems — develop step by step and infrequently show few symptoms until complications occur,” he said.
“When these conditions are detected early through routine screening, patients have a significantly better probability of managing them before they turn into life-threatening or require hospitalization.”
He added that free diagnostic services can generate savings for each patients and the healthcare system over time.
“Early diagnosis almost at all times results in cheaper treatment. Detecting disease before complications develop allows patients to receive timely medical intervention, reducing the necessity for emergency care, prolonged hospitalization, or costly specialist treatments,” Mr. Namoco said.
“For patients, this implies lower out-of-pocket expenses and fewer disruptions to their livelihood. For the healthcare system, it means fewer preventable hospital admissions and more efficient use of healthcare resources.”
Founded in 2013, SGD operates greater than 60 locations nationwide and serves over 600 hospitals and clinics. The corporate is the country’s first College of American Pathologists-accredited diagnostic facility.
Looking ahead, Mr. Namoco said 1Life intends to broaden its healthcare offerings through additional partnerships.
“We’re constantly exploring opportunities to expand each the range of laboratory services and the healthcare solutions available through strategic partnerships,” he said.
“Our long-term goal is to construct an integrated healthcare ecosystem that seamlessly connects patients to consultations, diagnostics, disease screening, pharmacy services, and continuous follow-up care.” — Kaizzer Angela Marie V. Manuba