To ensure indigent patients get help

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go personally checked on the operations of one of the 157 Malasakit Centers in the country located at the Region 2 Trauma and Medical Center in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya on Saturday, April 1. This is the 99th center established on January 17, 2021.

During his visit, Go expressed his gratitude to all of the hospital officials and workers for their service and sacrifices. He likewise had the chance to talk to some patients and listened to their concerns, saying that he will continue to help them to the best of his capacity.

“Maraming Salamat sa lahat ng bumubuo ng Region 2 Trauma and Medical Center. Isa lang po ang pakiusap ko sa ating mga Malasakit Center workers, social workers, medical chief, sa lahat po ng narito. Unahin po natin ‘yung mga kababayan nating mahihirap, ‘yung mga helpless, mga hopeless po na walang matakbuhan po kung ‘di itong ospital,” remarked Go.

“Tulungan po natin silang lahat. Ang pumupunta po dito ‘yung talagang mahihirap nating kababayan. Huwag ho natin silang pabayaan. Full support po ako sa inyong ospital,” he continued.

The Malasakit Centers program was launched in 2018 to provide a more holistic approach to helping provide healthcare services. Since then, there are now 157 centers established nationwide that, according to the Department of Health, have helped more than seven million Filipinos with their medical needs, including laboratory tests, medicines, and hospital bills.

The Malasakit Center has partnered with various government agencies, including the DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to streamline the process of obtaining medical assistance particularly for poor and indigent patients.

Go then extended assistance to 234 patients and 1,494 frontliners, including security guards, utilities, and hospital staff, during the event.

The said beneficiaries were given grocery packs, masks, vitamins, and snacks from the senator while some of them were provided bicycles, cellular phones, watches, shoes, umbrellas, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball.

Meanwhile, the DSWD also provided separate assistance to qualified indigent patients in the hospital.

During the visit, Go was accompanied by Congresswoman Luisa Lloren-Cuaresma, Nueva Vizcaya Vice Governor Jose Gambito, Bayombong Mayor Antonio Bagasao, Region 2 Trauma and Medical Center Chief Dr. Ray Suanding, and other officials of the province.

“Mayroon pong nagsabi sa akin, ‘Sir, marami ka pang matutulungang mga Pilipino, may misyon ka pa sa mundong ito. Makakatulong ka pa sa mga kababayan nating Pilipino.’ Sabi ko, tutulong lang po ako sa abot ng aking makakaya,” cited Go.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako dahil sa effort po ng gobyerno, malalampasan na po natin ang pandemya. Kaya magtulungan lang po tayo, mga kapwa ko Pilipino. We need to continue supporting the Malasakit Centers program to provide better healthcare services to our people,” he added.

Continuing his message, Go also highlighted that he continues to support DOH with the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide. Super Health Centers aim to provide basic healthcare services to Filipinos, including medical consultations, laboratory tests, and other medical procedures, among others.

AUTHOR PROFILE

People's Journal