CONTINUING his commitment to provide Filipinos convenient access to quality healthcare services nationwide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally attended the launch of the 132nd Malasakit Center at Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.

The Malasakit Center is the second established in the province as the first was launched on July 10 at Lianga District Hospital in Lianga. It is also the sixth in Caraga region and 33rd Malasakit Center in Mindanao.

During his remarks, Go reaffirmed that the government will continue to develop measures that will ensure that poor and indigent patients will continue to conveniently get the medical attention they need.

“Puntahan lang ninyo itong Malasakit Center. Kapag mayroon kayong bill sa ospital, lapitan niyo lang ito tutulungan nila kayo hanggang maging zero balance at wala na kayong babayaran sa inyong ospital.” Go expressed.

“Sa mga pasyente diyan, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center ha. Wala nang dahilan para hindi kayo matulungan. Walang rason para hindi kayo matulungan,” he continued.

Being the chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go expressed his concern that most Filipinos are hesitant to seek medical care as the majority of health services cost beyond their financial means.

Earlier, Senator Go authored and sponsored Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act, where its primary function is to help reduce patients’ medical expenses to the lowest amount possible by covering the fees of various hospital services, such as laboratories, medicines, and surgeries, among others.

Under the said measure, all hospitals administered and managed by the Department of Health and the Philippine General Hospital shall establish their Malasakit Centers so that low-income patients may easily avail of medical assistance offered by DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Other public hospitals may also establish their own provided they meet a standard set of criteria and guarantee the sustainability of its operations.

“Nung unang panahon, marami sa mga kababayan natin ang kinakailangang pang lumabas ng ospital at pumila sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno para humingi ng tulong. Ubos na panahon nila, ubos pa ang pera nila sa pamasahe. Mangungutang at ibebenta pa niyan ang kalabaw para may maibayad sa naiwang balanse,” said Go.

“Ngayon, hindi na nila kailangang gawin ‘yan. Kung may billing kayo sa ospital, puntahan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center at tutulungan kayo nito para wala na kayong babayaran,” he added.

As part of his advocacy to look after the well-being of Filipinos, Go gave recognition to the medical frontliners for staying in the forefront of the battle against COVID-19. He then appealed to them to continue catering their services to those in need. Go also reassured that he will continue to initiate necessary support for medical workers and health professionals.

“Sa lahat ng frontliners, doctors, nurses, sa lahat, utility man, janitor sa lahat na nandito sa ospital, even military and pulis, maraming salamat sa inyong pagsakripisyo sa panahon ngayon,” Go remarked.

“Isa sa pinaka-importante ngayong panahon, hindi mababayaran ang inyong serbisyo sa panahon ngayon. Mula sa amin ni Presidente Duterte, maraming salamat sa lahat ng mga frontliners sa inyong serbisyo,” Go added.

Go, then, urged the public to participate in the national vaccination program, especially those who are part of the priority groups. The Senator said that the vaccines will not only boost their immunity against severe threats of the virus, but getting inoculated will also help medical frontliners maintain the stability of the healthcare system amid the pandemic.

“Kung makikinig kayo at maniniwala kayo, salamat mula sa amin ni Presidente Duterte. Magtiwala kayo sa bakuna, huwag kayong matakot sa bakuna. Ang bakuna ang susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa normal natin na pamumuhay,” said Go.

Earlier that day, the Senator also attended the launch of the 131st Malasakit Center at the Democrito O. Plaza Memorial Hospital in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.