Senator Bong Go has once again emphasized the importance of Filipinos utilizing the government’s medical assistance programs through the Malasakit Centers.
Go reiterated this following the opening of a new Malasakit Center in Region III, or Central Luzon, to provide more convenient access to government medical assistance programs for particularly poor and indigent Filipinos.
The chair of the Senate Committee on Health personally witnessed the launch of the latest Malasakit Center at the Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte in the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan recently.
The center is the 156th in the country.
Despite the economic progress, the legislator said that many Filipinos still struggle to access basic healthcare services. The establishment of Malasakit Centers in the region is, therefore, an important step towards providing affordable and accessible healthcare to all.
“This initiative will undoubtedly be a significant help to our fellow citizens, especially those with limited access to medical services and who heavily rely on government aid for their healthcare needs.”
“I am delighted to see the government’s sustained efforts in setting up new Malasakit Centers in different parts of the country. This initiative will undoubtedly be a significant help to our fellow citizens, especially those with limited access to medical services and who heavily rely on government aid for their healthcare needs,” the lawmaker said.
Central Luzon is one of the most populous and economically important regions in the Philippines, with a population of more than 12 million people.
The opening of a new Malasakit Center in Bulacan brings the total number of Malasakit Centers in Central Luzon to 14.
This is a significant development that aims to address the challenges faced by people in the area, particularly those living in rural or remote areas where access to healthcare services are limited.
Other Malasakit Centers in the region are found at the Aurora Memorial Hospital in Baler, Aurora; Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center and Bataan Women’s and Children’s Hospital both in Balanga City, and Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital in Mariveles, Bataan; Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City and Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria, Bulacan; Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Hospital in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital and Overseas Filipino Workers Hospital both in San Fernando City, and Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center in Angeles City, Pampanga; Tarlac Provincial Hospital in Tarlac City, Tarlac; and James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City, and Zambales Provincial Hospital in Iba, Zambales.
The Malasakit Centers program was introduced in 2018 and has since assisted over seven million particularly poor and indigent patients nationwide according to DOH.
The program has been institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.
The program is a coordinated effort of various government agencies, including the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
By centralizing the services of concerned agencies, the Malasakit Center simplifies the process for patients seeking aid and ensures they receive the help they need more efficiently and effectively.
One-stop shop na po ‘yan para hindi niyo na kailangan pumila o umikot pa sa iba’t ibang mga opisina.
“Ang Malasakit Center po ay handang tumulong po sa inyo. Para po ‘yan sa mga poor and indigent patients. One-stop shop na po ‘yan para hindi niyo na kailangan pumila o umikot pa sa iba’t ibang mga opisina. Lapitan nyo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan po sa inyong lugar,” the senator said.
“Magtulungan tayo para mailapit sa taumbayan ang serbisyong kailangan nila para hindi na sila mahirapan pa. Ilapit natin ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa tao. Pera naman nila iyan, ibinabalik lang sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng mabilis, maayos at maaasahang serbisyong pangkalusugan,” he added.
According to Go, the Malasakit Center program’s success underscores the importance of a coordinated approach to healthcare and social welfare.
“As a shining example of what can be achieved when the government prioritizes the needs of its people, the Malasakit Centers program stands as a testament to our commitment to providing quality healthcare services to Filipinos,” he said.
Go also commended the government’s ongoing efforts to establish a more efficient and accessible system for requesting medical assistance, particularly in remote regions.
Apart from the Malasakit Centers, he also supported the establishment of 61 Super Health Centers in Central Luzon.
These centers shall provide basic health services, such as database management, outpatient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit.
Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation center; and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.
Through his initiative and with the support of his fellow senators, some 307 Super Health Centers were funded in 2022. The senator also successfully pushed for the funding of at least 322 more SHCs in this year’s health budget.
With the growing number of Malasakit Centers and Super Health Centers across the country, Go said that more Filipinos will have access to medical assistance and treatment, helping them achieve better health situations to become more productive citizens.
“Sa mga inisyatibong ito, mas maraming mga Pilipino ang magkakaroon ng pagkakataon na makakuha ng tulong medikal mula sa gobyerno na makakatulong sa kanila upang magkaroon ng mas magandang kalusugan at kinabukasan,” he concluded.
