The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
A lawmaker has proposed legislation aimed at providing free vaccines against infectious diseases to all senior citizens in the Philippines, ensuring better health protection for the elderly population.
Agri Party-list Representative Wilbert Lee recently filed House Bill No. 11055, or the proposed Safeguarding Seniors: Free Immunization Act, which seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9994 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010). The current law limits free vaccinations to indigent senior citizens.
Under Lee’s proposal, all senior citizens, regardless of financial status, will receive free immunization for influenza, pneumococcal disease, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, diphtheria, and other diseases as identified necessary by the Department of Health (DOH).
“Tayong mga Pilipino ay malaki ang pagpapahalaga sa ating mga lolo at lola, sa ating mga magulang na nag-aruga at nagtaguyod sa atin. Sa kanilang pagtanda, sila naman ang gusto nating arugain at pagkalooban ng karampatang kalinga (We Filipinos hold our grandparents and parents in high regard. They nurtured and supported us, and in their old age, we wish to care for them and give them the attention they deserve),” Lee said.
Lee emphasized that senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases due to their aging immune systems.
“Many diseases can severely impact older adults, whose immune systems naturally weaken over time. Kaya napakahalaga ng bakuna para maiwasan ang mga sakit, lalo na kung gagawin itong libre at mas accessible para sa lahat ng senior citizens (Vaccines are vital for preventing diseases, especially if they are provided for free and made more accessible to all senior citizens),” he added.
The lawmaker also addressed the financial challenges faced by many elderly Filipinos, who often avoid seeking medical attention due to the high costs of treatment and hospitalization.
“Maraming senior citizens ang nangangamba na magkasakit dahil ayaw nilang maging pabigat sa pamilya. Sa mahal ng gamot at ospital, marami sa kanila ang hinahayaan na lang ang karamdaman, hindi nagpapa-checkup, at parang naghihintay na lang ng oras nila (Many seniors worry about getting sick because they don’t want to burden their families. With the high cost of medicines and hospital care,
many simply endure their illnesses without check-ups, as if waiting for their time),” Lee lamented.
Lee stressed that the proposed measure aligns with the goals of Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, which advocates free treatment and medicines for all Filipinos.
“The bill supports the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of the elderly, ensuring their right to healthcare, and promoting healthier, longer lives for our senior citizens,” Lee explained.
By expanding free vaccination coverage, the proposed legislation aims to not only reduce the healthcare burden on senior citizens and their families but also improve overall public health outcomes for the aging population.