PH Health Department offers free mental health meds; monitors HIV cases in Caraga
The Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) announced on June 12 that patients in Metro Manila can now access free medications for mental health conditions at select hospitals and health centers. The initiative, unveiled during the country’s 127th Independence Day, allows individuals with updated prescriptions to claim medicines such as Paliperidone palmitate, Escitalopram, Lithium carbonate, Quetiapine, Risperidone, and Clozapine through the Metro Manila Center for Health Development.
Eligible patients must email their prescriptions to mentalhealth.dohncr@gmail.com and await confirmation before claiming the medicines. Distribution sites include all Manila health centers, the Philippine General Hospital, and Jose R. Reyes Memorial Hospital.
Meanwhile, the DOH in Caraga Region reported a total of 1,967 HIV cases from 1995 to February 2025. Most infections are among individuals aged 25 to 34, followed by those aged 15 to 24. Agusan del Sur and Butuan City recorded the highest case numbers among provinces and cities, respectively.
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The region operates multiple HIV hubs offering treatment and testing services. Health officials continue to urge the public to get tested as the only way to access timely medical care.
Category: Community
