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QC helps indigent residents pay hospital bills

By Marita Moaje

June 8, 2022, 8:35 pm

<p><em>(PNA file photo)</em></p>

(PNA file photo)

 
MANILA – The Quezon City government has signed a partnership with seven big hospitals in the city to help indigent residents pay their hospital bills through its Medical Assistance Program (MAP).
 
In a statement issued by QC Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday, she said the city government is very much aware of the situation of their indigent residents most especially when it comes to health matters.
 
"Batid ng lokal na pamahalaan ang hirap na dinaranas ng mga pasyenteng walang kakayahang mabayaran ang kanilang bayarin sa ospital. Kung kani-kanino at kung saan-saan sila lumalapit, kaya naman tayo na mismo ang gumagawa ng paraan para maibsan ang kanilang kalbaryo kahit paano (The local government knows the sufferings of patients who cannot pay their hospital bills. They have to ask for help from different people and so, we are trying to find a solution to at least lessen their burdens),” Belmonte said.
 
The city’s hospital partners are the Lung Center of the Philippines, National Children's Hospital, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Heart Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Philippine Children's Medical Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, and St. Luke's Medical Center.
 
Under the partnership, the city government will extend financial assistance to indigent patients to help pay their hospital bills, laboratories, and purchase medicines.
 
“Ito ang unang pakikipag-alyansa natin sa mga ospital ng gobyerno para matugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating QCitizens na mabigyan ng dekalidad na serbisyong medikal. Kasabay nito, patuloy nating pinaplano at isasakatuparan ang pagpapatayo ng mga karagdagang ospital na matatakbuhan ng ating mga kababayan sa oras ng pangangailangan (This is our first partnership with government hospitals to address the needs of our QCitizens and give them quality medical services.  We are also planning to construct additional hospitals where people can go to in times of need),” Belmonte added.
 
According to the Social Services Development Department (SSDD), the city government will extend a minimum of PHP5,000 per beneficiary.
 
For in-patients, requirements are QCitizen ID or Barangay Indigency, statement of account or billing statement, and medical abstract.
 
A representative who is an immediate relative of the patient applying for the medical assistance should present a QCitizen ID and an authorization letter from the beneficiary.
 
For out-patients, requirements are a medical certificate, price quotation, and QCitizen ID or Barangay Indigency.
 
The new patients will undergo a pre-assessment in a District Action Office near their respective areas before their documents will be reviewed by the SSDD if they are eligible to avail of the MAP.
 
Once approved, SSDD will issue a guarantee letter and other pertinent documents that the patient will submit to the accredited hospitals. (PNA)

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