Capitol launches new medical support program for indigents

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government has formally launched its newest program, which focuses on indigent patients in the province, yesterday.

The Helping Indigents through Medical Support for Sugbuanon (HimsSugbo) was launched yesterday together with over 40 partner pharmacies, medical and products suppliers and laboratory service providers.

The program aims to give free medicines to indigent patients in Cebu Province admitted at the provincial-run hospitals wherein they will be given a QR coded prescription slips that they can use to redeem their much needed medicines or laboratory services to the partner medical suppliers of the Capitol.

The prescription slips must have three signatories – the attending physician, social welfare officer and the chief of hospital, for it to be valid upon acquiring the needed medicines to the pharmacy or medical supplier.

During the launching at the Capitol, representatives from the different medical suppliers, pharmacies and laboratory services providers said the innovative program which is first of its kind is a great help for the indigent Cebuanos for a less hassle and time saving purchase of their much needed medicines and medical supplies.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said the program was conceptualize to assist those are really in need but cannot afford to purchase drugs, medicines, supplies and laboratories for their illnesses.

“…it is the duty of the government to help those that need help the most pero nakita man sad nato bisan sa ubang mga pamaagi, ihatag ang kwarta wala ta kasiguro og gigasto ba gyud to basta kay nakahatag na ta og kwarta, feeling good na ta on our part but no that’s not the way this should be. What had always been the way of looking at it, ma financial assistance man , ma ayuda man o tabang man sa panahon nga sila masakit ang naandan nato basta kay nahatag na ng kwarta humana na atong obligasyon,” Garcia said.

“Apan alang kanako kay bisan pa’g tood kinahanglan ni nato sila tabangan dili ni salapi nga walay tulobagon, salapi ni sa gobyerno nga nagagikan usab sa buhis nga gibayad sa katawhan busa dako kaayo mi nga tulobagon, nga gitahasan aning among position ug gisaligan sa katawhan nga gastuhon ang maong salapi sa labing makiangayon ug sa giangay nga tumong sa maong salapi,” she added.

Present during the launching are Capitol officials headed by the governor, Board Member Stanley Caminero, the chairman of the committee on health of the Provincial Board; Miguel Lucero, the regional manager of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); chief of hospitals of Cebu Province and representative of the partner pharmacies, medical suppliers and laboratory service providers.  – GMR (FREEMAN)