Warm meals were distributed to patients, their companions and medical personnel in several public hospitals from 12 to 16 January, as the office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued its regular hospital-based feeding initiative.

The program, sustained over the past few years, offers a simple yet meaningful form of support to those experiencing long, often exhausting days in public healthcare institutions.

Among the hospitals reached were San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital and Ospital ng Malabon in Malabon City; Navotas City Hospital; Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium in Caloocan City; Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital and Valenzuela Medical Center; East Avenue Medical Center and Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City.

In the Visayas, the program also extended to Cebu City Medical Center, Leyte Provincial Hospital, and Palo Schistosomiasis Hospital, all located in Palo, Leyte.

While modest in scale, the feeding efforts have made a difference to many who spend long hours at hospitals — whether seeking treatment or accompanying loved ones.

“This is not only for the patients. At times, even the caregivers and staff hardly get to eat properly. If we can help in even the simplest way, we should not let the opportunity pass,” he said.

Many of the facilities visited also have Malasakit Centers, which consolidate key government medical assistance services in one location to simplify the process for indigent patients.

The feeding initiative complements this effort by helping ease another daily concern — access to food while in the hospital.

Go emphasized that continuing the feeding program remains part of his commitment to public service.