Malasakit Centers for medical assistance unveiled in Dumaguete and Maasin

DUMAGUETE CITY – The government opened its eighth Malasakit Center at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital (NOPH) here right after launching the seventh branch in Maasin City, Southern Leyte.

Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go said that the health of the population is one of the top priorities of the Duterte administration.

“They are our priority. These Malasakit Centers are for you. This is your money the government is just giving it back to you. When we get sick we usually don’t know where to go for help. But now with the Malasakit Centers, they will be properly guided,” Go added.

With the opening of the Malasakit Center at the Southern Leyte Provincial Hospital and at the

NOPH here, the people of Samar and Leyte and in Negros Oriental need not worry about sourcing financial assistance for their medical needs, Go said.

Go said ambulance services will also be provided for free by the Negros Oriental Malasakit Center.

Go said the government has allocated some R5 million for the Negros Oriental Malasakit Center and will be replenished once the hospital submits liquidation documents.

Go is instrumental in putting up Malasakit Centers throughout the country.

There are currently eight cities with existing Malasakit Centers nationwide -- Cebu, Tacloban, Iloilo, Bacolod, Puerto Princesa, Manila (Philippine General Hospital), Maasin and Dumaguete.

Under the program, patients are assisted in availing of financial assistance from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Department of Health (DOH), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

With the Malasakit Centers’ assistance, a patient’s hospital bill is expected to be significantly reduced.

The government also provides Malasakit Center Cards to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) so they can be prioritized.

These cards can be availed for free in any Malasakit Center in the country, Go added.

Go said all Filipinos are qualified to avail themselves of medical health assistance from Malasakit Centers.

The only qualification is that you are a Filipino citizen.

Go said he is hopeful that succeeding administrations will continue the program.