By Cherrylin Caacbay
The Makati City local government announced on Saturday, Dec. 11, that holders of Makati Health Plus Program (MHP) cards or “yellow cards” can now avail of free dialysis at Ospital ng Makati (OsMak) and other accredited dialysis centers.
The city government included free dialysis in the list of benefits afforded to yellow card holders.
Other benefits of yellow card holders and registered dependents are free out-patient consultation, subsidized hospitalization, and diagnostic tests in selected city-run hospitals.
Registered voters, residents of Makati City, government employees working in the central business district and senior citizens aged 60 and above are eligible to get yellow cards with either three-year or lifetime validity.
A patient pays more than P13,500 per week for dialysis, which is too expensive for a minimum wage earner, according to the city government.
The announcement has earned praises from the netizens and residents.