Senator Risa Hontiveros, the Department of Health (DOH), and the Manila City government on Thursday (March 11) signed a covenant for the provision of medical assistance to indigent patients in the capital city.
(Photo from Senator Risa Hontiveros / MANILA BULLETIN)
Under the agreement, indigent patients of Sta. Ana Hospital, one of the six district hospitals in Manila, will be given medical assistance through a fund allocated by the government.
In her speech at the Manila City Hall, Hontiveros said the medical assistance will benefit cash-strapped Manila residents, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Ito'y pang-agapay sa mga kapwa nating magulang na hindi malaman kung saan pupulutin ang laboratory fee, para sa mga maybahay na kabaro natin na kapos sa pambili ng gamot, para sa mga haligi ng tahanan na kailangan pang mamili kung ano sa dalawa ang mas mahalaga: bibili ba siya ng pagkain o magpapatingin sa doktor? Magji-jeep ba siya o maglalakad na lang para hindi mabawasan ang pang-ospital (This is to help our fellow parents who do not know where to get funds for the laboratory fee, for mothers who lack money to buy medicine, for pillars of the family who have to choose which is more important: will they buy food or will they get checked by doctors? Will they take a jeepney or will they just walk to save funds for their medical expenses)?" she said.
"Tiwala akong maakakabawas ito sa kanilang pasanin tungo sa mas malusog na pamilyang Pilipino (I trust that this will lessen their burden in becoming healthy Filipino families)," she added.
Domagoso thanked the senator and pledged to use the medical assistance for the residents.
"In return for your generosity and attention you've given to the City of Manila, the people of Manila, kami naman ay sisinupin namin. Magiging episyente kami at mainam naming gagastusin (we will save it. We will be efficient and effective in utilizing it)," he said.
Hontiveros also lauded the Manila city government and its health workers for fighting in the frontlines against the pandemic.
"Nais kong bigyang pugay ang ating mga health workers at frontliners sa pangunguna ni Dra. Grace Padilla, na silang susi sa ating paggaling at agarang pagbangon (I want to commend our health workers and frontliners led by Dr. Grace Padilla, who are the keys to our speedy recovery)," she said.