MULTI-AGENCY ONE-STOP SHOPS TO FACILITATE INDIGENT PATIENTS

Before the year ends, one-stop shops, which will be placed in seven hospitals in Central Visayas, to help indigent patients with their health and financial needs. Dubbed as “Malasakit Centers,” the one-stop shops will ensure that indigents won’t need to go far when they want to secure financial and health assistance from government and non-government agencies. The project is initiated by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas in line with the mandate of President Rodrigo Duterte to bring government services closer to the people. Michael Dino, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, said the Malasakit Center is in coordination with government agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development; Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Dino said they want to shorten time for indigents in applying for financial assistance for their patients. “We aimed to cut red tape. Rather than wait for a week just to get assistance, it will only take a few days,” he said. Dino said they will be placing Malasakit Centers in government hospitals in the region. The pilot areas for the one-stop shops includes the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and the St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital (SAMCH) in Cebu City; Eversley Childs Sanitarium in Mandaue City, Talisay District Hospital and Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital and Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital in Bohol.