By Jel Santos
The Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) was given P5 million by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Tuesday.
The check from the agency was received by VMMC Director Dr. Dominador M. Chiong Jr.
“VMMC is an endowment fund program partner hospital, and one of the priority programs of the government under the leadership of Pres. Duterte is to uplift the health condition of the Filipino by providing financial assistance for various health and medical-related programs, medical assistance and services and charities of national character,” Alexander Balutan, PCSO general manager, said.
The Endowment Fund Program Partner Hospital (EFPH), according to PCSO, "is a partner of the government in giving much-needed medical and health services to the less fortunate and disadvantaged patients, which signified its intent and willingness to be PCSO’s partner in the implementation of the EFP."
The assistance per patient shall be comparable to 100 percent of PhilHealth case rates. Services include medical, hospital, laboratory for indigent charity patients (confined and receiving outpatient management), the general manager said.
Furthermore, the agency said the aid given to confined patients at the charity ward shall be based on the published case rates of PhilHealth. But, for outpatients accessing hospital medical services, the patient and the medical services should be covered by PhilHealth.
“Under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), VMMC shall be given one year to utilize the grant. Any remainder which will not be utilized shall be returned to PCSO,” he said.
Based on the MOA, should EFPH do not comply with its obligations, Endowment Fund Program Implementing Guidelines, and subsequent issuances of the PCSO, the agreement shall be terminated.
“They should also submit their Liquidation Report within the prescribed period. We have measures to monitor the utilization of funds. We are a generous giver, but our beneficiaries must make sure they utilize the fund properly and it will really benefit the poorest of the poor,” Balutan reminded.