Bong Go cites significance of Malasakit Centers
AFTER the successful launch of the 158th Malasakit Center inside the Diosdado P. Macapagal Memorial Hospital (DPMMH) in Guagua, Pampanga on June 9, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, “Mr. Malasakit” himself, expressed that he remains dedicated to ensuring that every Filipino, particularly the poor and indigent patients, can avail themselves of the benefits provided by the Malasakit Centers.
“Nalulungkot ako kapag naririnig ko na may ayaw magpagamot dahil takot sa babayaran sa ospital. Huwag po kayo matakot dahil tutulungan kayo ng Malasakit Center. Pangalagaan natin ang buhay na ibinigay sa atin ng ating Panginoon,” Go said.
“Sa totoo lang, pera naman yan ng taumbayan. Binabalik lang sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng mabilis, maayos at maaasahang serbisyo na may malasakit sa inyong pangangailangan,” he emphasized.
The Malasakit Center at DPMMH is the fourth such center in the province following those at the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center in Angeles City, and at the Overseas Filipino Workers Hospital and Diagnostic Center and Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital, both in San Fernando City. It is also the 89th in Luzon and the 15th in Region III.
Go, who heads the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, highlighted the significance of Malasakit Centers in improving healthcare access across the country.
“Since the inception of the Malasakit Centers program, I am proud to say that its impact has been significant in transforming the lives of countless Filipinos. And with the successful establishment of the 158th Malasakit Center in Guagua, Pampanga, nakakataba ng pusong makita na milyun-milyon na ang natulungan nito,” expressed Go.
“Ang target po ng Malasakit Center ay ma-cover ang inyong billing. Kaya huwag po kayong mahihiyang lumapit sa Malasakit Center dahil para po yan sa inyo, mga kababayan kong Pilipino. At ngayon po, meron na po tayong 158 na Malasakit Centers sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong po sa inyo,” he added.
Witnessing firsthand the struggles that financially challenged Filipinos and their families face, Senator Go initiated the program to alleviate their burden and provide easier access to government medical assistance.
“Nagsimula itong Malasakit Center nung nakita ko ‘yung problema diyan sa baba. Sa tagal kong nagtrabaho kay former president Rodrigo Duterte, maraming lumalapit sa kaniya sa Davao City Hall noong mayor pa siya, mga hindi residente sa Davao. Minsan taga-Misamis, taga-Zamboanga, pumupunta sa Davao dahil nandoon ang hospital. Tapos humihingi ng tulong pambayad sa pampagamot nila,” Go cited.
The Malasakit Centers streamline the process of availing financial aid by bringing together relevant government agencies under one roof, namely, the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Since the inception of Malasakit Centers in 2018, they have been instrumental in delivering immediate assistance to particularly poor and indigent patients and their families. The program was later institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate when he became senator in 2019.
During the 158th Malasakit Center launch, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa commended Senator Go for the latter’s initiative in spearheading the Malasakit Centers program.
“This is my first public event as a Secretary of Health and I want to thank the administration… Alam niyo, matagal na rin akong nagta-trabaho sa ospital, I am an emergency doctor, a trauma surgeon, and isa rin akong guro, nagtuturo ako. Ang turo lang naman ng Presidente (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.), ‘Dr. Herbosa, gusto ko tutukan mo (ang mahihirap).’ Yun ang marching orders ng President ang (tutukan) ang TB at HIV (cases na) tumataas and, of course, yung tulungan ang mga mahihirap. (Kaso ayos) na ang trabaho ko doon kasi may Malasakit Center (na sinimulan) si (Senator) Bong Go,” Herbosa highlighted.
Herbosa particularly acknowledged the senator’s unwavering commitment to improving healthcare access for all Filipinos, particularly the underprivileged.
