LUCENA CITY, Quezon -- A Malasakit Center, the 26th of such medical assistance hub in the country, is now operating at the Quezon Medical Center (QMC) here to provide medical and financial assistance especially among the indigent patients.
Quezon Governor David Suarez and Secretary Michael Lloyd Diño, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas and Malasakit Center National Head, led the blessing and inauguration of the Malasakit Center on February 28.
“Finally, through the efforts of our President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, our brothers and sisters here in Quezon will get to enjoy cheaper, if not free medical services. All government agencies which offered financial help related to hospitalization will now be under one roof so that our dear patients will no longer spend time, money and effort going to different agencies to avail of these services,” Diño said.
He said the centers intend to simplify the process and requirement of government agencies spending medical and financial assistance for poor Filipinos in government hospitals.
Diño assured that more Malasakit Centers are proposed to be established in the towns of Catanauan, Candelaria, Gumaca and Infanta.
Governor Suarez said the new center is the fulfillment of the national government’s commitment through former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Secretary Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go’s efforts during the latter’s recent visits to the province.
Suarez said it now serves as a one-stop shop for the constituents who need medical and financial assistance through the convergence of agencies housed under the center, such as the PhilHealth, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
He expressed appreciation to the national leadership for the health project for the province to cascade health services to every Filipino constituent at the local level.
“It’s only now that we have this kind of national government program which demonstrates its love and care and felt by every Filipino patient. I am very sure (that) 100 percent and thousands of Quezonians will benefit from this, and that thousands of them will be discharged from the Quezon Medical Center with happiness and wear a smile),” the governor said in Filipino.
Suarez also hopes similar Malasakit Centers will be established in every district of the province to hasten response to medical needs of constituents in isolated areas and island towns.
Meanwhile, Diño also turned over to Suarez the check from the Office of the President worth PHP5 million for the monthly funding allocation for the Malasakit Center to ensure the implementation of the “Zero Balance Billing” as the primary aim of the project.
“Ito po ang tunay na proyekto at programa na tutugon sa mga hinanaing at pinagdadaanan ng mga mahihirap nating kababayan na ipinapasok sa ospital (this is the real project and program that respond to the plight and sufferings of our poor patient-constituents who are hospitalized),” Suarez expressed. (Gideon Belen/PNA)
