Government has opened the country’s 37th Malasakit Center at the Ormoc District Hospital in Leyte to extend medical assistance to the underprivileged.
Senator Bong Go led the launching of the facility, more than a year after the first Malasakit Center was launched at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City in February 2018.
“I know how hard it is to get sick nowadays. That is why improving our medical services throughout the country is my priority,” Go said.
The Malasakit Center is a program of the Duterte Administration to establish one-stop shops in hospitals and hasten the delivery of free medical services to indigent patients.
Under the program, indigent patients are assisted in availing medical services and financial assistance provided by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Amusement and Games Corporation, Department of Health, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Assistance comes in the form of a guarantee letter. Patients can avail of up to P50,000 in medical assistance. The amount varies depending on the result of an assessment by a government social worker.
“Patients use Malasakit Unified Form.”
“Patients use the Malasakit Unified Form inside the center for all agencies to avoid redundancy of filling up the same information all over again,” the legislator said.
Vice Governor Carlo Loreto, who was present at the inauguration, said this project is very helpful especially to those in need.
“I hope that all district hospital in Leyte will have its Malasakit Centers too.”
“I just hope that all district hospitals in Leyte, such as the Baybay District hospital, Hilongos district Hospital, and the Leyte Provincial hospital will have its Malasakit Centers too,” Loreto said.