Senator Bong Go. Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — The 153rd Malasakit Center in the country was opened Thursday inside the Overseas Filipino Workers Hospital and Diagnostic Center in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
The unveiling was led by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who took advantage of the occasion to renewed his appeal to Filipinos to prioritize their health and well-being.
The said Malasakit Center is the third such center established in the Pampanga province. Other centers are located at Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital, also in San Fernando City, and at Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center in Angeles City.
In his speech, Go said the establishment of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Hospital demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving the country’s healthcare system and promoting the welfare of Filipino migrant workers and their families.
Go likewise said that in cooperation with the Department of Health, the OFW Hospital will be granted adequate funds that would support and further enhance the facility.
“Para po siya sa mga poor and indigent patients. At masaya po ako na dito po inilagay ang 153rd na Malasakit Center sa OFW Hospital na matagal na po nating pinangarap noon pa,” he said.
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“Naisakatuparan po ang pangarap natin na magkaroon ng sariling departamento, ito pong Department of Migrant Workers. Co-sponsor po ako diyan at isa sa mga author… pangarap natin ito noon na naisakatuparan na. Hindi na po siya panaginip lamang,” he added.
“Ang pangarap natin magkaroon ng isang OFW hospital, naisakatuparan din. Hindi na po panaginip. Ngayon po, mayroon na rin po tayong Malasakit Center sa inyong OFW Hospital,” he continued.
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After the launch, Go and his team distributed shirts, masks, vitamins and meals to 49 outpatients and 194 medical frontliners. Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial assistance to outpatients and 89 other rank-and-file employees of the OFW Hospital.
Bicycles, cellular phones, and shoes were also given away to select individuals.
“Sa lahat po ng mga frontliners, doctors, nurses headed by Dr. Jose Dante, Hospital Chief, maraming salamat po sa inyong sakripisyo sa panahon ng pandemya. Hindi po natin mararating ito kung hindi po sa inyong sakripisyo,” Go said.
To recall, Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program back in 2018 after he had personally witnessed the struggles and reluctance of financially incapacitated Filipinos to get the medical attention they need.
Meanwhile, the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 mandates the establishment of one-stop shops that streamline the process of acquiring aid from concerned agencies, namely, the DOH, DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Its primary aim is to reduce a hospital bill to the lowest amount possible by covering various patient services and fees.
Earlier on Thursday, Go personally assisted vulnerable students in Minalin, Pampanga, inspected the Super Health Center in San Fernando City, and gave aid to the indigents.