More Negrenses are gaining access to primary health care services through service caravans and help desks under the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s (PhilHealth) Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP).

In La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, about 2,100 senior citizens from the city’s 14 barangays are expected to register during the YAKAP Caravan from Oct. 27 to 30.

“This aims to reach seniors who are not yet enrolled or not yet assigned to a YAKAP primary care provider,” the city government said in an advisory on Monday.

PhilHealth’s Local Health Insurance Office-Bacolod is partnering with the La Carlota City Primary Care Facility I to enroll the target beneficiaries.

On Monday, barangay officials and workers were among those who availed themselves of YAKAP enrollment services at the city gymnasium.

On Oct. 23, PhilHealth-Bacolod assisted about 400 participants during a YAKAP information and help desk activity for graduating students of Bago City College.

At least 300 students completed their first patient encounter (FPE), bringing them a step closer to accessing essential primary health care services.

The students also received assistance with National Health Insurance Program registration and assignment to their chosen YAKAP facility.

On the same day, 323 participants were assigned to YAKAP facilities, while 270 completed their FPE during a caravan in Barangay Cabatangan, Talisay City.

PhilHealth-Bacolod partnered with the Talisay Primary Care Facility to bring essential health services closer to residents.

YAKAP’s primary care benefits include consultations, laboratory and diagnostic tests, and 75 essential medicines under the GAMOT (Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment) program. (PNA)