By Analou De Vera
The Department of Health- Calabarzon bared that it has provided health assistance to 12,658 individuals in the region in 2017, through the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) program of the DOH.
Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said that the total cost of the health assistance given to the recipients is P39,608,431.04.
A total of 5,682 patients was served in Cavite province with a total amount of P11,935,763.09 utilized; a total of 2,903 patients was served in Laguna amounting to P5,289,489 utilized; Batangas has served 944 patients with P3,383,415.83 amount utilized; Rizal has 142 patients served with P545,540.89 utilized; and Quezon with 2,987 patients and P8,454,222.19 utilized.
“Because of the continuous increase in the number of patients seeking medical assistance, as well as referrals received through email, social media, different agencies and institutions and from the Office of the President, we need to assess and review the program to know the progress we’ve completed and to continue providing support to the medical needs of our indigent patients in the region,” said Janairo.
“Also to determine the financial status of each government hospital with regards to the MAIP program, identify and address issues/concerns including gaps in the implementation of the program and most importantly commend government hospitals for their support and partnership in the utilization of the medical assistance funds,” he added.
Janairo, meanwhile, said there are currently 14 regular MAIP patients undergoing medical treatment and diagnosis such as postpartum eclampsia vs seizure disorder, fracture for orif plating, kidney failure, pneumothorax, cdv bleeding, G403 incomplete abortion, DHN, NSTEMI, pneumonia and seizure disorder t/c Rolandic epilepsy.
“These patients are at present being treated in various government and private hospitals. There were also 4 Dengvaxia patients which were diagnosed with guillan-barre syndrome, glomerulonephritis, leukemia and mediastinal tumor that were given medical assistance.”