27 Malasakit Centers set up in MM for poor – Go

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go yesterday highlighted the Duterte administration’s effort to address gaps in healthcare access for the urban poor through the Malasakit Centers established nationwide.

Go said every Filipinos, especially the indigent patients, could avail themselves of medical assistance from 27 Malasakit Centers in Metro Manila.

To simplify the process for requests for medical aid, the center brings together under one roof the Departments of Health (DOH), Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The one-stop-stop aims to reduce a patient’s hospital bills by covering various services and expenses pursuant to Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored.

Among the DOH-run public hospitals in Metro Manila that have opened Malasakit Centers are the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, Tondo Medical Center and Philippine General Hospital.

More than three million indigent patients have benefitted from the program since 2018, according to Go.

There are 142 Malasakit Centers nationwide, 77 of which are in Luzon, 29 in the Visayas and 36 in Mindanao.

Go, who has filed his candidacy for vice president, said he would remain focus on fulfilling his mandate and in ensuring the delivery of public services.