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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider 71 critical patients get life-saving aid as Manila allocates P64.2M for medical care

71 critical patients get life-saving aid as Manila allocates P64.2M for medical care

Published Feb 21, 2026 04:51 pm
Photo courtesy of Manila Public Information Office
Photo courtesy of Manila Public Information Office
Beyond investments in healthcare infrastructure and medical services, taxpayers in the nation’s capital are helping fund life-saving medical procedures for critically ill patients through the Manila City Government’s KAAGAPAY program, Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno” Domagoso said.
The city government has released a total of P64,226,374.85 as of Friday, February 20, covering 71 critical medical casesunder the assistance program aimed at supporting patients requiring urgent and specialized treatment.
Liver transplants for children
Of the P64.2 million disbursed, P38,419,378.25 was allocated to 24 children diagnosed with biliary atresia who are scheduled to undergo liver transplant procedures at Apollo Hospitals and Max Healthcare in India.
Domagoso said payments were sent through wire transfers to ensure funds were directly remitted to the treating hospitals.
Heart surgeries and specialized care
Meanwhile, P13,205,861.76 was spent on heart surgeries for 22 patients with congenital heart disease at the Philippine Heart Center.
Another P2,273,270.54 was allotted for a patient with bilateral profound hearing loss who underwent cochlear implant surgery and therapy at the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center.
An additional P10,327,864.30 supported 24 other medical assistance cases handled by several institutions, including the Philippine General Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, Manila Doctors Hospital, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Makati Medical Center, Mary Johnston Hospital, Medical Center Manila, St. Luke’s Medical Center, and UERM Memorial Medical Center.
Latest batch of beneficiaries
On February 20, the mayor personally spoke with 13 child patients preparing for medical procedures, including eight liver transplants in India, four heart surgeries at the Philippine Heart Center, and one kidney procedure at Chinese General Hospital.
For this batch, the city allocated:
* P13,321,629.80 for liver transplants
* P3,323,311.50 for heart surgeries
* P173,616.19 for a kidney procedure
for a total of P16,818,557.49.
During the dialogue, Domagoso emphasized the role of public trust in sustaining the program.
He also reminded families of the urgency behind providing medical assistance.
Strengthening local transplant capability
Aside from funding overseas treatment, Domagoso said the city government is also working to strengthen the country’s capacity to perform complex medical procedures locally.
In November, the mayor visited the Philippine General Hospital following the country’s first successful pediatric liver transplant performed in a government facility, an operation supported by more than P30 million in funds raised for life-saving pediatric surgeries.
He said the long-term goal is to reduce the need to send patients abroad by expanding local expertise and upgrading public hospital facilities.
According to the mayor, direct financial assistance and institutional upgrades form part of a broader strategy: addressing urgent medical needs while building a healthcare system capable of saving more lives in the future.
In this framework, taxpayer funds serve not only as immediate aid but also as an investment in strengthening public healthcare capacity for generations to come.

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