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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Mayor Abby pushes for free maintenance medicines

Mayor Abby pushes for free maintenance medicines

Published Feb 11, 2025 05:47 am
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Mayor Abby Binay

Makati City Mayor and senatorial aspirant Abby Binay said she will push for a comprehensive national healthcare program that will provide free maintenance medicines, including insulin and cancer drugs, as well as better health facilities for all Filipinos nationwide.

“Importante ang murang gamot, at kung kaya namang ibigay yung ibang mamahaling gamot nang libre, why not? Yung mga mahal na gamot ang kadalasang kailangan ng mga kababayan natin (Free or affordable medicines are important to our people. If we can provide them these expensive medicines for free, then why not? Most of the time, our people need these medicines the most)," Binay said during a luncheon meeting with TGP Partylist in Quezon City.

She explained that by providing citizens with free medicines, most especially those they can hardly afford, it will provide them much needed reprieve at a time when prices of basic commodities are skyrocketing.

“Napakalaking tulong ito lalo na sa mga pamilya ng mga may malulubhang sakit tulad ng cancer, diabetes, at kidney disease. Hindi na nila kailangang mangutang para makapagpagamot ang kanilang mahal sa buhay (This will be a big help for families whose members have severe ailments such as cancer, diabetes, and kidney disease. They will no longer need to borrow money for their medical treatments)," Binay explained.

In addition to free maintenance medicines and other pharmaceutical products, the mayor is also proposing free and unlimited dialysis sessions and chemotherapy treatments.

Binay also plans to modernize public health facilities throughout the country.

“Kailangang ma-upgrade ang public health facilities natin para makapaghatid ng mahusay na serbisyong pangkalusugan sa ating mga kababayan kahit sa malalayong lugar (We have to upgrade all public health facilities in the country to be able to provide quality health services to all, particularly those living in remote areas)," the mayor said.

In her stint as Makati's local chief executive, Binay has launched various initiatives focusing on better healthcare services.

“We regard access to quality health care as a right, not a privilege. The city has invested over P8 billion to provide free maintenance medicines to thousands of Makatizens through the Makati Health Plus (Yellow Card) program. Since 2017, this program has served over 800,000 patients, ensuring that essential medications are accessible to those in need," Binay said during her State of the City Address (SOCA) in January.

“In addition, we have been providing free and unlimited dialysis treatments to our citizens. Since its launching in 2020, we have extended 166,677 sessions to 19,268 residents. We have also provided 9,000 free chemotherapy sessions to cancer patients since 2020, further demonstrating our dedication to comprehensive healthcare services, especially to those who cannot afford the cost of these treatments," she added.

Related Tags

diabetes Makati City mayor abby binay dialysis KIDNEY DISEASES matalinong boto 2025 Free medicines metro news Cancer HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
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