DOH launches ‘Malasakit Center’

The Department of Health (DOH) and other government agencies signed a joint administrative order yesterday to launch a 'Malasakit Center' at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center in Manila.

The Malasakit center is a "one-stopshop" of government agencies such as the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the DOH, which aims to provide medical attention to patients who need financial assistance.

Last February, Malasakit centers were launched in hospitals in Visayas region. This include Vicente Sotto Memorial

Medical Center, Saint Anthony Mother and Child Hospital, Talisay District Hospital, Eversley Childs Hospital, Gallares Hospital, and Del Valle Hospital.

"This is mainly to unburden the patients to having to go through government agencies to avail financial assistance both direct and non-direct medical cost and minimize discretion on who can avail said financial aid," said Duque.

Under the guidelines of the administrative order, the medical cost will be covered by Philhealth, PCSO, and the DOH- Medical Assistance for indigent patients program. On the other hand, non-medical cost such as transportation shall be covered by the DSWD, the health chief said.