Press Release - Bong Go amplifies support for public hospital outpatients with nationwide feeding program

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, persists in conducting feeding programs nationwide, focusing particularly on public hospitals equipped with Malasakit Centers where poor and indigent patients often go to to seek help.

This initiative, which started late last year, stems from the senator's firsthand observation of the difficulties faced by patients, many of whom endure lengthy waits for medical check-ups.

Go cited that this situation is particularly challenging for indigent patients who even travel from remote areas. He added that many of these patients, having spent their limited funds on transportation, find themselves without the means to afford meals during their long wait times in hospitals.

Understanding the plight of these patients, Senator Go's feeding program aims to provide much-needed relief. The initiative, according to Go, is not just a temporary measure but a step towards addressing a critical aspect of healthcare - ensuring that patients are not burdened with hunger while seeking medical attention.

"Napansin ko po ang hirap na dinaranas ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ng mga pasyenteng mahihirap na naghihintay ng mahabang oras para lamang sa kanilang medical check-up. Sa mga pampublikong ospital, karaniwan matagal na naghihintay ang mga pasyente bago matugunan ang kanilang pangangailangan. Marami sa kanila ay nagmula pa sa malalayong lugar, dala lamang ang sapat na pera para sa kanilang pamasahe," Go shared.

"Nakakalungkot po isipin na habang hinihintay nila ang kanilang pagkakataon para sa konsultasyon, marami sa kanila ang nagtitiis ng gutom. Hindi po ito katanggap-tanggap. Bilang tugon, ilulunsad natin ang isang programa na magbibigay ng libreng pagkain para sa ating mga pasyente sa mga ospital, upang kahit papaano ay maibsan ang kanilang paghihirap habang naghihintay," he added.

At the start of the new year, Go's Malasakit Team had already organized numerous feeding programs nationwide.

In Metro Manila, they have served patients in the National Kidney Transplant Institute, Philippine Orthopedic Center, and Lung Center of the Philippines, all in Quezon City; Ospital ng Parañaque in