A family from Barangay Inagan in Puerto Princesa received medical assistance through the Malasakit Center after their child underwent surgery for a dislocated arm at the Philippine Orthopedic Center, a procedure they had long postponed due to financial constraints.

The child’s parent, Jeffrey Tumalac Dancel, said the injury dated back to December 2022, but treatment was delayed because the family could not afford the cost of surgery. The child was finally brought to the orthopedic hospital last year.

“So nagkaroon po kami ng pagkakataon na madala doon sa (Philippine) Orthopedic Center at ginawa po ang surgery noong September 30, and recovery, October 3 po.”

As the surgery date approached, Dancel said hospital staff processed the billing and referred him to the Malasakit Center for assistance.

“So, ang natutuwa po ako doon kasi during surgery day, Martes po ’yon, September 30, pina-process po sa akin ’yung kanyang billing sa ospital. So, binigyan po ako ng mga instruction ng mga nandoon sa orthopedic. Record ko, pinresent ko rin doon. Sabi, pumunta ka doon sa Malasakit Center.”

Dancel said he initially expected only a partial reduction in hospital expenses.

“Ayun, so madali, sabi po na i-process ko ’yung papel, so ina-expect ko po talaga at least mabawasan man lang ’yung billing.”

Instead, he was later informed that the family would be cleared of hospital charges after completing the required documents.

“Pero nung matapos ko po ’yung mga requirements, natuwa po talaga po kasi sabi po, thank you Lord. Dahil sabi po nung nag-asikaso ng papel ko doon, sabi po, ayan, ayan ’yung papel mo. Sabi niya, ipakita mo lang ’yan nang pagka pa-discharge na ’yung anak mo, ipakita mo lang ’yan, zero billing na kayo. Sabi ko, ha? Hindi nga, ma’am, totoo po.”

“Dahil ’yan sa Malasakit Center. Ayun. So, Senador Bong Go, maraming salamat po sa programa (na iyong isinulong). So, siyempre po, nagpapasalamat po kami sa Panginoon. Isa po kayo sa ginamit ni Lord para talagang totoong magmalasakit sa ating mga mahihirap. Ayan po. Maraming, maraming salamat po.”

Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops designed to help indigent patients reduce hospital expenses to the lowest possible amount. The program was institutionalized through Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, authored and sponsored by Bong Go, who is also vice chair of the Senate Committee on Health.

As of latest government data, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, assisting patients with medical expenses. The Department of Health has reported that more than 17 million Filipinos have already benefited from the program.

Go reiterated his commitment to expanding access to healthcare, particularly for poor and indigent patients.

“I will continue to push for pro-poor programs and laws, especially on health. Health is wealth. We must collaborate to bring quality medical services closer to our people, particularly the poor and indigent patients. Ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.