Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is calling for swift action to address child malnutrition, describing it as a persistent but overlooked public health emergency, especially in remote areas.

“We still have many children lacking nutrition, especially in remote areas. We need to address this earlier,” Go said. “This is not just an issue of poverty but also of access to healthcare services.”

As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go welcomed the launch of PhilHealth’s Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) Outpatient Therapeutic Care Benefit Package. The program offers free treatment, nutritional screening, counseling, and therapeutic food to children under five with SAM. Infants under six months can receive up to ₱7,500 in support, while older children may get up to ₱17,000.

“This is a big help for families who cannot afford treatment,” Go added.

PhilHealth aims to assist 100,000 children yearly, with support from UNICEF and the UK government. Go lauded the initiative but stressed the need for structural reforms to address health and nutrition inequities.

He also cited recent PhilHealth reforms he helped push, including the removal of the 45-day hospitalization limit, repeal of the 24-hour confinement rule, and abolition of the Single Period of Confinement policy.

“There are illnesses that still have high costs even with PhilHealth. We need to update the packages to better suit the needs of patients,” he said.

Go called for expanded coverage for leading causes of death, such as heart disease and diabetes, and urged stronger local government and grassroots involvement.

“Health is life. Let’s make medical services more accessible, especially for the poor and those in far-flung areas,” he said.