President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. +said the country is “80 percent” closer to achieving universal healthcare for all Filipinos, citing progress in building a system for accessible, affordable, and quality medical services.

This, as Marcos visited Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center in Balanga, Bataan to assess the implementation of the Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) program.

“We are very close to achieving) universal healthcare. We are 80 percent of the way. Just a little more and we will achieve) universal healthcare,” Marcos told reporters partly in Filipino after the hospital visit.

Marcos said zero balance billing is now implemented in 78 government-run hospitals, adding that around 2,976 patients from Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center are already benefiting from the program.

He also lauded the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center for the successful implementation of zero balance billing by ensuring that patients are discharged without having to pay out of pocket.

“When the patient is about to be discharged, zero billing is delivered to them –another added convenience which I think we should adopt all around the country,” Marcos said.

Marcos said he is committed to fulfilling his aspiration for a successful universal healthcare system.

He also assured healthcare workers of continued government support.

Under the ZBB Program, all members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. admitted to basic or ward accommodations in Department of Health hospitals will not incur any out-of-pocket expenses for their hospitalization.