Only PRRD’s signature needed to make quality health care accessible to all

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri announced Monday night that the House of Representatives (HOR) has adopted the Senate version of a measure that seeks to establish Malasakit Centers in Department of Health (DOH)-run hospitals.

This means that the measure will no longer pass through the bicameral conference committee. The enrolled copy of the bill will be sent to Malacañang for President Rodrigo Duterte’s immediate approval.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is the principal author of Senate Bill No. 1076 (Malasakit Center Act of 2019) that aims to institutionalize the “one-stop-shop” medical assistance policy of the government by consolidating the financial aid provided by health and social welfare departments at DOH-run hospitals.

This law makes it unnecessary for indigent Filipino patients to travel to and queue at scattered government agencies offices in various parts of the country to get medical aid.

“We are a step closer towards making quality health care more accessible and affordable for all Filipinos, especially the indigent and poor patients in need of medical assistance from the government,” Go said in an earlier speech.

Under the approved measure, local governments units (LGUs) would be allowed to establish their own Malasakit Centers as long as they can guarantee availability of the funds for their operations.

LGUs would also be required to meet a standard set of criteria. According to Go, patients admitted to LGU-run and other public hospitals but who are eligible for medical and financial assistance can seek help from Malasakit Centers.

“The Malasakit Center is one of the solutions the Duterte government has developed to provide quick and quality access to healthcare to all Filipinos, regardless of their age, sex, ethnic background, religion, and political affiliation,” Go also said.