PHA liver disease specialist in the Philippines has called on the national government to increase funding for hepatitis prevention, testing, and treatment, highlighting that many Filipinos die from a preventable disease due to insufficient resources. Dr. Janus Ong emphasized that while the country has the necessary tools to combat hepatitis-related liver cancer, many patients remain undiagnosed or untreated due to financial constraints. He advocated for the establishment of a fully-staffed national hepatitis program, allowing local government units to access shared supplies and systems instead of relying on limited local budgets. Ong also urged PhilHealth to cover the full cost of hepatitis testing and treatment to ensure affordability. He noted that while some local governments have initiated their own hepatitis programs, reliance on local funding leads to disparities, as wealthier areas are better able to sustain these efforts.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a call for increased government funding for a public health issue, focusing on the need for national coordination and resource allocation. The framing is neutral, emphasizing the medical necessity and potential benefits of expanded funding without overtly favoring any political,
