The Federation of Pasig Senior Citizens Association (FPSCA) has expressed dismay over the alleged "inadequacy" of the local government's healthcare programs and benefits being received by senior citizens in the city.

In a statement,FPSCA president Alexander Arreola stressed that medical services are one of the critical needs of the elderly in the city.

The group also alleged that the accessibility of the city’s healthcare programs for the elderly — such as mobile medical missions that provide regular consultations, checkups, and address other health concerns— is lacking.

While the City Hall reportedly provides some medical services such as vaccines for animal bites, the group claimed that these are said to be insufficient to meet the needs of senior citizens.

The FPSCA president also pointed out that the distribution of maintenance medicines for the elderly in the city is often delayed as these have to go through the city’s barangays. 

Additionally, some of these medicines are reportedly nearing their expiration dates.

"The waiting time and distribution of medicines and maintenance supplies take too long. Sometimes, there’s a shortage. Care and attention for senior citizens are lacking," said FPSCA  Vice President Reynaldo Malilay.

The lack of healthcare services from the local government unit (LGU) is also cited as the primary reason why impoverished communities in Pasig flock to medical missions conducted by the St. Gerrard Charity Foundation, led by the family of Sarah Discaya.

Discaya, in an interview, mentioned that the overwhelming turnout for their tireless medical missions is proof of the Federation’s claim that healthcare services in Pasig are severely lacking and that health centers in the city often run out of medicine.

"This is why I want to provide better hospital services because that is what’s lacking now—hospital services. Our health centers don’t have enough medicine," Discaya said.