Amid challenges faced by the country's healthcare system these past years, the Malasakit Center program championed by Senator Christopher "Bong" Go stands as a vital component of the government's efforts to support patients in need of medical assistance such as the case of Ariel Cariaga.

Ariel, a 44-year-old resident of Sampaloc, Manila, faced a life-changing diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Stage 5 last month. This grim reality came with the burden of costly dialysis treatments. However, the assistance from the Malasakit Center has significantly alleviated the financial strain, giving Ariel a fighting chance to attain better health.

"Malaking tulong talaga siya kasi 'di ba kapag nag-dialysis ka kasi every dialysis mo nababawasan ka ng dugo. So kailangan mo talaga ng injection ng epoetin," Ariel shared, pointing out the significant financial relief the center has provided, particularly in covering the costs of the much-needed epoetin injections.

"Dahil sa tulong ni Senator (Go), kahit papaano nabawasan yung bigat na dinadala namin lalo sa pinansyal, sa gastos," he added.

Ariel sought help at the Malasakit Center located at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City, which has been a cornerstone in ensuring that individuals like Ariel have access to medical care without the burden of facing insurmountable bills.

Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.

Aside from the one in NKTI, Malasakit Centers in Quezon City are located at the Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children's Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Philippine Orthopedic Center, National Children's Hospital, Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. To date, 159 operational centers have helped more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to DOH.