Gov’t hospital in Albay launches first cataract surgery program

By Sally Atento-Altea

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Albay Provincial Health Office (APHO) has officially launched a cataract surgery program at the Dr. Lorenzo P. Ziga Memorial District Hospital (DLPZMDH) in Tabaco City.

DLPZMDH is the first local government-owned hospital in the province to receive accreditation for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) cataract surgery package, providing an accessible and affordable alternative to private clinics.

During his fourth State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a significant increase in PhilHealth’s cataract surgery coverage, raising it from P16,000 to P187,000, which will help reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients.

Dr. Estela Zenit, assistant PHO officer, said that this new program is a major milestone for public healthcare and will serve as a vital resource for Albayanos in need of eye care.

“With this clinic, we are opening the doors of hope to Albayanos who cannot afford private services. This is not just a medical facility. It’s a symbol of compassion, equality, and sincere service,” she said.

Kenn Nuyda, Development Management Officer IV at the Department of Health Bicol, confirmed that the new program aligns with Marcos’ vision for the health sector, encapsulated in the slogan, “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Buhay ay Mahalaga” (In the New Philippines, Every Life Matters).

“This is where life, every life, matters. Every eye that regains its sight is a life restored, one that once again can see their loved ones, contribute to the social progress of the community, and further live with dignity,” Nuyda said.

Rodolfo Baluncio, a 64-year-old laborer from Malilipot, was the first beneficiary of the clinic’s initial three successful cataract surgeries.

“I am deeply grateful to the government and most of all to God. We really have nothing, but when we learned this service was available, we immediately came to inquire,” Baluncio said.

The eye clinic now provides a comprehensive range of vision-restoring services, including Phacoemulsification cataract surgery, extracapsular cataract extraction, secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, scleral fixation of IOL, intracapsular cataract extraction, pterygium surgery, foreign body removal, and chalazion excision. (Raiza Lucido contributed to this report/PIA5/Albay)