Bataan’s second Malasakit Center opened Tuesday at Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital (MMWGH).
The 112th to be established nationwide, it is a one-stop shop that brings together government agencies from which Filipinos may seek medical assistance namely Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
MMWGH Chief of Hospital Maria Lourdes Evangelista said this will be beneficial to their patients as 90 percent of them are indigents.
“Through this, we hope that we will be able to give our kababayans affordable, accessible and quality healthcare,” the official added.
It aims to reduce the lowest amount possible of the hospital bills of those who seek its assistance by covering patient expenses such as laboratories, medicines, surgeries, and operations.
For his part, Senator Bong Go said the Malasakit Center is in line with the government’s efforts to improve access to healthcare services nationwide.
Go also turned over a PhP5 million check as initial funding which is replenishable every month.
As Chairperson of Senate Committee on Health, Go also pledged to give additional PhP5 million from his office.
He likewise donated grocery packs, vitamins, face masks and face shields to the frontliners of MMWGH and raffled 15 bicycles, 15 computer tablets and shoes.