ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo wants to mandate through legislation the Department of Health (DOH) to shoulder the purchase of medicines and medical equipment in all public hospitals in the country using the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) fund.

Tulfo, along with four other solons, will file a bill this week for this purpose.

“Madalas ang problema at laging sumbong ng ating mga kababayan ay walang available na mga gamot at kulang kulang ang mga gamit sa pampublikong ospital," said Tulfo, the House deputy majority leader for communications.

(A common complaint from our countrymen is that there are no ample medicines or equipment in our public hospitals.)

Gusto nating masiguro sa batas na ito na dapat ay laging available ang mga gamot at kumpleto sa medical equipment sa public hospitals at libre itong mapapakinabangan ng publiko lalo na ng mga mahihirap nating kababayan,” the aspiring senator stated.

(Through this law, we want to ensure that public hospitals always have medicines available, are complete with medical equipment, and most of all can be availed for free by those who need it the most.)

The proposed bill is titled “An Act Mandating the Department of Health (DOH) to Ensure the Availability of Medicines and Procurement of Medical Equipment in All Public Hospitals Through the Utilization of the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Fund, and for Other Purposes.”

“This Act, known as the ‘Universal Medical Access and Equipment Act of 2025,’ addresses the persistent challenge of inadequate access to essential medicines and diagnostic equipment in public hospitals across the Philippines,” the bill states.

“Recognizing that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right, this bill mandates the DOH to provide adequate medicines and procure essential medical equipment for all government hospitals, utilizing the MAIFIP Fund,” it further explains.

The legislators emphasized that many public hospitals, particularly in remote areas, lack the necessary equipment like X-ray machines, ultrasound machines, and ECG machines. More often than not, they do not have the medicines required by the patients.

“These shortages often force patients, especially indigent and financially incapacitated individuals, to forgo necessary medical care, leading to delayed diagnoses, poorer health outcomes, and increased financial burden,” the legislators said.

“This situation perpetuates health disparities and undermines the government’s efforts to provide universal healthcare,” they stressed.

“This bill is not merely about providing medicines and equipment; it is about strengthening the entire public healthcare system and ensuring that every Filipino, regardless of financial status or location, has access to quality medical care,” the proposed bill added.

Joining Tulfo in filing the bill are his fellow ACT-CIS Party-list Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, Benguet lone district Rep. Eric Yap, and Quezon City 2nd district Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo.