The Department of Health (DOH) today welcomed the signing of the Malasakit Center Act, which establishes the Malasakit Program and institutionalizes Malasakit Centers in DOH and other government hospitals in the country.

The Malasakit Center is a One-Stop Shop where indigent patients can efficiently access financial medical assistance from agencies such as PhilHealth, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“We are glad we now have this law that truly reflects the Duterte administration’s brand of people-centered service delivery. We guarantee our patients needing medical assistance that they will be treated with compassion, dignity, respect, and malasakit. This complements our implementation of the Universal Health Care law,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

Currently, a total of 74 Malasakit Centers were established nationwide with 45 centers in DOH hospitals,  28 centers in LGU-operated hospitals, and one center in the Philippine General Hospital.

“The long lines and tedious processes for availment of financial medical assistance will be things of the past. Ultimately, our goal under UHC is to ensure that every Filipino is protected from the financial risks of healthcare. The establishment of the Malasakit Program and Centers in our government hospitals takes us closer to this goal,” the Health Chief concluded.

Source: https://www.doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/prrd-signs-malasakit-center-act