The 111th Malasakit Center was formally opened for service at Margosatubig Regional Hospital (MRH), Margosatubig, Zamboanga del Sur last Friday, May 14, 2021. This is the 21st Malasakit Center in Mindanao, 5th in Zamboanga Peninsula and 2nd in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur. The grand launching was attended by Zamboanga del Sur Youth Development Chairperson Ms. Victoria Yu as representative of Cong. Divina Grace Yu and Atty. Maria Jihan Bana as representative of Gov. Victor J. Yu. The turnover ceremony was headed by DSWD Assistant Secretary Jade Jamolod with the presence of Dr. Sison, Chief of hospital of MRH.
With the enactment of Republic Act 11463, also known as the Malasakit Center Act which was signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte last December 3, 2019, the establishment of the Malasakit Program and the institutionalization of Malasakit Centers in DOH and other government hospitals in the country have been made. A Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that can benefit the people, particularly the poor and indigent Filipinos, to conveniently avail medical assistance from the government where personnel and staff from PhilHealth, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development hold office in one place to assist the requesting clients.
In a press release made by DOH last December 2019, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III stated that patients needing medical assistance are guaranteed to be treated with compassion, dignity, respect, and malasakit. This complements our implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) law. He also added that long lines and tedious processes for the availment of financial medical assistance will be things of the past. Ultimately, the establishment of Malasakit Program and Centers in government hospitals take us closer to realizing the goal of UHC which is to ensure that every Filipino is protected from the financial risks of healthcare.
PNC-ZDS Marie Claire A. Gaas
References:
1. Ika-111 nga Malasakit Center giabrihan na
By Marlon Panares (News Writer/Contributor – MBN Present Assistant Provincial Information Officer, Zamboanga del Sur Former CNN Philippines Regional Stringer)
2. Launching of Malasakit Center in Margosatubig Regional Hospital (Facebook post from Victoria Yu, reposted by Victory Zamboanga del Sur)
3. Launching of the 111th Malasakit Center (Facebook post from Sen. Bong Go, reposted by Victory Zamboanga del Sur)
4. PRRD signs Malasakit Center Act
https://doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/prrd-signs-malasakit-center-act
5. Repuclic Act 11463: Malasakit Center Act
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2019/11nov/20191203RA-11463-RRD.pdf