Press Release - Bong Go reminds DOH of its mandate to cater to the needs of poor and indigent patients as he monitors proper implementation of Malasakit Centers Law

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, Senate Committee on Health Chairman, vows to hold the Department of Health (DOH) accountable if harm comes to even a single patient who is refused medical attention especially from government hospitals.

On Tuesday, April 30, the senator sternly warned the DOH during the recent Senate health committee hearing he presided that was part of a series of inquiries looking into the current state of the public health system.

"You should stand by your memo na walang matatanggihan na pasyente rito. Dahil 'pag merong namatay na pasyente rito dahil sa kahirapan, malaki po ang pananagutan niyo po sa ating mga kababayan. Magsasalita talaga ako rito araw-araw kung meron pong namatay na pasyente dahil natanggihan at dahil po sa kahirapan na wala silang matakbuhan at tinanggihan po ng inyong opisina," said Go.

In the hearing, Go shared the dire situation of a patient in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, who was at risk of having his oxygen supply cut off due to financial constraints.

"Kausap ko 'yung doktor, papatanggal na lang daw niya 'yung oxygen dahil wala na lang siyang pambayad sa private hospital. Paano kaya natin matulungan ito through the MAIP program? Isipin niyo dahil sa oxygen... papatanggal na lang niya, malalagutan siya ng hininga dahil sa kahirapan," Go shared.

Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) is the DOH program that provides financial assistance for medical care to indigent and financially incapacitated patients. Malasakit Centers provide patients convenient access to avail of this program.

No less than DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa attended the hearing where Go pressed on the integrity of the DOH's promise in fulfilling its mandate to properly implement the Malasakit Centers Law which Go principally authored and sponsored in 2019.

"You were under oath several times during (previous) hearings. Sabi niyo, tutulungan niyo ang mahihirap. Sabi mo, susuportahan mo ang Malasakit Centers at ipagpapatuloy mo dahil nakakatulong ito sa mga mahihirap, Go reminded Herbosa.

There are now 163 Malasakit Centers established nationwide, which have assisted more than ten million Filipinos, as reported by the DOH. Malasakit Centers serve as