Zubiri vows aid for indigents' eye care

CEBU, Philippines - Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri promised financial support through his Priority Development Assistant Fund for indigents who cannot afford the services of expensive eye care experts.

This after he inspected the facilities of the newly-built Eye Referral Center, Laser and Eye Bank in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City yesterday afternoon.

“I would be honored to be part of fulfilling your goal to help those who need medical attention especially those who could not afford to pay expensive eye care specialists,” Zubiri said.

According to Zubiri many indigents do not realize they have eye problems, because even if they suffer headaches or poor eyesight these still take a backseat to their financial problem.

Zubiri put P2 million in the center for the people facing financial difficulties, it is up to social services to determine those who can avail.

Even those patients who do not qualify as indigents still get to spend less compared to those who will go to private hospitals, those who have PhilHealth will also get a better deal.

“Today is another milestone as the government in partnership with Cebu Ophthalmologic Group, Inc. or COGI through its Chairman and CEO Dr. Jose Cymmer Go opened its doors to residents in the Visayas and nearby regions. This Eye Referral Center, Laser and Eye Bank will help address the dire need for comprehensive, quality, affordable and accessible eye care services,” Zubiri said.

The Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center is a general, tertiary medical center teaching and training medical facility owned by the Philippine government.

It signed a Public-Private Sector Partnership with COGI last March 7, 2011. Under the said agreement, COGI is tasked to establish, manage and operate an eye center and eye bank within the premises of VSMMC.

Go affirmed COGI’s commitment to provide quality service to the masses saying that the center shall be a self-sustaining unit making sure that it gives non-discriminatory treatment to all its patients.   - (THE FREEMAN)