129th Malasakit Center launched in Tondo

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s 129th Malasakit Center was launched at the Tondo Medical Center in Manila on Friday.

The TMC is the 26th hospital in the National Capital Region and the fifth in Manila to open a Malasakit Center, in addition to the Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, San Lazaro Hospital and Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

Sen. Bong Go, who heads the Senate health committee, said in a speech during the launch that while health facilities and medical services are generally better in urban areas, such health advantages are often not enjoyed by lower income groups. 

In 2019, Go authored and sponsored a measure that became Republic Act 11463, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. The law streamlines the provision of medical assistance from the government by bringing together the relevant agencies under one roof – the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the Departments of Health and Social Welfare and Development.

The primary aim of the Malasakit Center is to help reduce a patients’ hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various patient services and expenses, such as surgeries, laboratories and medicines through existing medical assistance programs.

“Many Filipinos still do not know about Malasakit Center so tell your neighbors that you have one in Tondo,” Go said.