The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday welcomed the 49th Malasakit Center in the country located at the outpatient department of the Philippine Heart Center.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for all financial assistance provided by different government agencies for indigent patients incurring out-of-pocket expenses for their treatment or hospitalization. It seeks to ensure zero balance in patients’ hospital bills. The only qualification for availing the Malasakit Center’s service is being a Filipino. 

During the inauguration, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, in his speech, announced plans to put up Malasakit Centers in all 72 DOH-retained hospitals, with the next center to be put up in the National Kidney & Transplant Institute. Senator Go also urged hospitals to provide express lanes for senior citizens. 

“We are grateful for Senator Bong Go’s assistance to various DOH hospitals even before the establishment of Malasakit Centers. With the succeeding Malasakit Centers to be established, more and more Filipinos will experience quality healthcare services without the risk of undue financial hardships,” Secretary Francisco Duque III concluded.