Gov’t to improve educ, training programs for rad techs – PBBM

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

IMPROVED HEALTHCARE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (left) meets with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Nov. 13, 2024 to discuss ways to improve the country’s healthcare system. Marcos on Thursday (Nov. 14) said improving the education and training programs for radiologic technologists in the country is one of the plans discussed during the meeting. (Photo: Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)

MANILA – The government will enhance the education and training programs for radiologic technologists in the country, as part of its efforts to improve the healthcare system, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Thursday.

This developed after Marcos met with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Wednesday.

“Yesterday’s meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) focused on current initiatives and plans to improve healthcare access for all Filipinos,” Marcos said.

“We are working on improving the education and training programs for radiologic technologists to meet the demand for skilled professionals.”

Only three of 41 examinees passed the June 2024 Special Professional Licensure Examination for Radiologic Technologists, based on the results released by the Professional Regulation Commission.

A radiologic technologist is a medical professional who performs imaging procedures on patients, capturing images of specific areas of the body using radiographic technology to assess their overall health.

Marcos expressed confidence that with the private sector’s support, the government can build an “efficient and all-encompassing” healthcare system.

He said the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) would also upgrade its benefit packages and digitize key processes for “faster [and] more efficient” service.

In September this year, PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. said its members can expect another increase in health benefits by yearend, noting that the agency is studying the implementation of another round of 30-percent increase in all of its benefit packages.

PhilHealth implemented a 30-percent increase in the coverage rates of most of its benefit packages on Feb. 14, 2024 to reduce the out-of-pocket medical expenses of Filipinos.