Filipinos with sleep disorders may be eligible for free medical care under a Senate bill.

Sleeping can be one of the best things to end the day but not all of us can sleep peacefully. Some have trouble doing that and most of them are Filipinos.

Once a law establishing a program for raising awareness of sleep disorders is passed into law, Filipinos who suffer from sleep disorders may be eligible for free medical assistance from the government.

Senator Mark Villar recently introduced Senate Bill No. 2063 in response to the dearth of information on sleep disorders in the nation.

His bill defines sleep disorders as conditions that affect a person's ability to function normally by affecting their sleep's duration, quality, or timing.

“Some of the sleep disorders include insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea. Most sleep disorders can be treated and be prevented, yet, less than one-third of people suffering from the disorders seek professional help,” Villar said in the bill.

In order to improve the identification of patients with sleep disorders, raise awareness, and train educators in effective sleep disorder assistance techniques, Senator Villar introduced a bill that would require the Department of Health to develop programs.

“The DOH may also provide free medical assistance and therapy to those who are suffering from it. This might be a straightforward aid to those who are experiencing it so that they can once more have a restful night’s sleep,” he said.

The DOH is required to conduct a study on the effects of sleep disorders on educational advancement and achievement, provide policies to support sleep disorder awareness programs, and offer free medical assistance and therapy to those suffering from sleep disorders.