Healthcare gaps filled, med care access improves
Just recently, I had the privilege of meeting two young students whose lives were hit with what seemed insurmountable challenges.
They are Political Science students from the University of the East in Manila, namely Krystelle Morales and Jaymes Mamorno, who were with their other classmates on a visit to the Senate last week.
Krystelle shared her father was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and explained to me how the Malasakit Centers Program supported her family through a very heartbreaking period in their lives. I am happy to report that his father is now on the way to recovery.
Jaymes’ mother, on the other hand, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.
With the help of their local government, his family learned about the Malasakit Centers Program which aided them with his mother’s medical needs. I told both students never to lose hope and for now, they can prioritize their studies.
According to data from the Department of Health, more or less ten million Filipinos nationwide have benefited from the Malasakit Centers program since the first one was launched in 2018. It has continuously touched the lives of many individuals, most of them the poor and financially incapacitated, the hopeless and helpless and those who have no one to turn to except the government itself.
Every time we receive warm gratitude from beneficiaries, the feeling never gets old.
But I always tell them that there is nothing to thank me for, after all, the money used for this program comes from the people.
The government is simply giving back their money through better and more dependable services. With this, I am simply thankful for being allowed to make a difference and help save lives. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, my priority is the health and well-being of every Filipino. So just last Friday, I witnessed the 165th Malasakit Center launching at the Conrado F. Estrella Regional Medical and Trauma Center in Rosales, Pangasinan. There are now 92 Malasakit Centers in Luzon, 30 in the Visayas, and 43 in Mindanao — in every region, from Batanes to Jolo, down to Tawi-Tawi.
Through Republic Act 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which I principally authored and sponsored, the institutionalization of the Malasakit Centers Program brings together several agencies with medical assistance programs under one roof inside qualified public hospitals to assist financially disadvantaged individuals in covering their healthcare expenses.
During the launch, I was joined by Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, Mayor Liam Cezar and other local leaders as well as officials from national partner agencies.
Secretary Estrella and I worked together before when he was still a congressman to push for the establishment of the said hospital through RA 11558 or An Act Establishing a General Hospital in the Municipality of Rosales, Province of Pangasinan to be known as the Conrado F. Estrella Regional Medical and Trauma Center which I principally sponsored in the Senate.
Last week, we also joined the groundbreaking of Iligan City’s new Super Health Center and the inauguration of the Super Health Center in Calatrava, Romblon. We also supported the Serbisyo Caravan of Mayor Miguel Decena of Enrile, Cagayan.
As your Mr. Malasakit, I continue to work with my fellow workers in government in prioritizing the needs of the poor by helping bring public services directly to those sectors in need especially when it comes to healthcare. Let us always keep in mind that health equates to life itself. Let us help each other so that Filipinos get the health services they need to live fulfilling lives.
“Through Republic Act 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which I principally authored and sponsored, the institutionalization of the Malasakit Centers Program brings together several agencies with medical assistance programs under one roof.
“With the help of their local government, his family learned about the Malasakit Centers Program which aided them with his mother’s medical needs.