The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is looking to give free breast cancer tests such as mammography and ultrasound by June this year, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

In a press release, the DOH said the state insurer approved Wednesday the inclusion of mammography and ultrasound in its benefits package, which also helps detect other conditions such as abdominal problems.

“President Marcos and Speaker Romualdez want better health benefits for our people. Their marching orders are my instructions to PhilHealth. It is the pleasure of the Board to now bring up primary care benefits with mammogram and ultrasound services not just in sandbox sites, but nationwide," Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.

DOH added that PhilHealth's Board of Directors had also approved an increase in the capitation rate of PhilHealth Konsulta to PHP 1,700 per patient seen a year. Konsulta is a primary care PhilHealth benefit package that provides payments for free annual check-ups and medicines.