265T Negrenses get free hospitalization

BACOLOD CITY — A total of 265,059 Negrenses already availed of free hospitalization, because of the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program, which will mark its seventh year of existence on September 18.

At the same time, NOCHP records showed that the provincial government of Negros Occidental already spent P142.9 million in hospital expenses of 265,059 beneficiaries, covering the period from September 18, 2010 to July 31 this year.

The NOCHP has been enforced for almost seven years to date, which is being described by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. as the most successful health program of the provincial government, which is also shared by Representative Alfredo Benitez (3rd district, Negros Occidental), a staunch supporter of the medical assistance program.

Forty percent of the budget of the provincial government of Negros Occidental has been allocated for health programs. As of last month, the total number of NOCHP enrolled families reached to 235,171, with an estimated number 1,175,855 beneficiaries in Negros Occidental.

NOCHP records further showed that the 3rd congressional district, represented by Benitez, posted the highest number of family-enrollees recorded at 59,714. This is followed by the 6th district with 54,234; 2nd district (46,032); 4th district (32,348); 5th district (23,407); and 1st district (19,436).

Among the 31 local government units in Negros Occidental, the city of Kabankalan has the most number of NOCHP enrolled beneficaries with 21,946 families, followed by Sagay City – 21,207, Silay City – 18,608, Cadiz City – 16,521, Victorias City – 12,580, Murcia – 10,892. —