P131M earmarked for free medicines

CEBU, Philippines - Indigent patients in Central Visayas can now avail of free medicines, either admitted or outpatient, at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 has announced the allocation of P131 million for Libreng Gamot Para sa Masa or “Lingap sa Masa,” a free medicine assistance program funded under President Rodrigo Duterte’s Socio-Civic Projects Funds.

The program is in partnership with a select regional hospital. In Region 7, DSWD signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the VSMMC for the provision of free medicines to indigent patients.

The signing of MOA happened during the DSWD 66th anniversary celebration held at SM Seaside City Cebu on February 9.

During the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza yesterday, Emma Patalinghug, head of DSWD-7 Crisis Intervention Unit, said they will set up a desk in VSMMC to make it easy for the patients needing medicines.

“A guarantee letter will be issued by DSWD for the purchase of medicines from hospital pharmacies or from partner drugstores,” Patalinghug said.

 Patalinghug added that for medicines worth up to P5,000 could be given in cash and a patient can avail of up to P75,000 worth of medicines depending on the assessment of the social worker.

 DSWD-7 Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre clarified that this medicine program is distinct and separate from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

 Target beneficiaries of this program are the following families or individuals who are indigent, vulnerable or disadvantaged; those in the informal sector and poor based on the DSWD Listahanan; those who are in crisis situations based on assessment of social workers; government employees and contract of service workers working in the government; and beneficiaries of soldiers and police who were killed or wounded in the line of duty.

 The “Lingap sa Masa” medicine assistance program is in response to President Duterte’s directive to give indigent Filipinos access to free medicines to help them recover from their illnesses.

Requirements to avail these free medicines are any valid ID of the patient; valid ID of the representative and a written authorization signed by the patient; doctor’s prescription issued not later than three months; and proof of indigency from the barangay or certification issued by the medical social service of an identified hospital.

 The program was initially implemented in other four regions — National Capital Region, Regions 3, 6 and 11. (FREEMAN)