Free Medicine and Hospitalization for Poor Filipinos in 2017 - DOH

Aside from free tuition fee for State Universities and Colleges next year, the Duterte administration also envision  to provide free medicine and hospitalization in 2017 through government hospitals, especially the poor, jobless or the senior citizens.

In her first visit to Maguindanao Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rossel-Ubial assured the public of free health services.  She said starting 2017, budget for health services have been increased to cover the hospital needs of the poor and needy Filipinos.

“No need Philhealth card, just prove you are a Filipino, you are entitled to be covered by the health benefits, the Philhealth will take care of the hospital billings and other concerns,” Ubial told health officials and the media.

Ubial said the DOH was granted by Department of Budget and Management funds last month to pay the arrears of P32 billion out of P42 billion deficits from Philhealth. She assured the public that her agency now has good financial condition to cover the plight of majority Filipinos’ hospital bills.
The funds will cover the hospital needs of the poor and indigent Filipinos.

The Health secretary said that this is the first in DOH’s history that President Duterte has strived efforts and those poor patients will leave hospitals with no billings balance.

Aside from impending free hospitalization, Ubial also mentioned that there will be free medicines in government pharmacies for poor families which will be contibuted by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and other government agencies.

Ubial cited President Rodrigo Duterte who told her, “Just take care of the poor, I’ll take care where to find the money,” which gave her assurance.

Sources : PNA / GMA 

Image credit : Mocha Uson Blog