CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – The Department of Health (DOH)–Calabarzon regional office reported Wednesday that its Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) program has benefitted around 12,658 indigent patients across the region comprising Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon provinces as of the 2nd quarter this year.
Janairo said that health assistance for the poor patients amounted to around PHP39.61 million from the DOH 2017 MAIP program funds. This year’s total allocation for DOH-Calabarzon amount to PHP86.85 million.
He emphasized to government doctors and health care professionals the need to provide a more streamlined, consolidated and standardized system of service delivery network for patients needing medical assistance in both private and government hospitals in the region.
“These patients are at present being treated in various government and private hospitals. There were also four Dengvaxia patients who were diagnosed with guillan-barre syndrome, glomerulonephritis, leukemia and mediastinal tumor that were given medical assistance,” he disclosed.
He added that there are currently 14 regular MAIP patients undergoing medical treatment and diagnosis such as post partum eclampsia vs seizure disorder, fracture for orif plating, kidney failure, pneumothorax, cdv bleeding, G403 incomplete abortion, DHN, NSTEMI, pneumonia and seizure disorder t/c Rolandic epilepsy.
“Because of the continuous increase in the number of patients seeking medical assistance, as well as referrals received through email, social media, different agencies and institutions and from the Office of the President, we need to assess and review the program to know the progress we’ve completed and to continue providing support to the medical needs of our indigent patients in the region,” Janairo said.
Janairo presented the 2nd quarter updates and assessments during a conference with chiefs of Hospitals, MAIP Focal Persons of Local Government Unit (LGU) Hospitals, and House members from the Calabarzon Region last June 5 to 7 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
During the assessment, Janairo said the DOH regional office will determine the financial status of each government hospital attentive to the MAIP program as well as identify and address issues, concerns including gaps in the program implementation.
He also commended government hospitals for their support and partnership in the utilization of the medical assistance funds.
“We need to assure that the funds for medical assistance will be properly utilized for the use not only of our indigent patients but also those in real need of hospitalization assistance in all authorized health facilities, including private health facilities that are under memorandums of agreement (MOA) with the regional office,” he said.
Meanwhile, Glen S. Ramos, DOH-Calabarzon Community Affairs and Media Relations Officer, disclosed to Philippine News Agency the region’s number of poor patient-beneficiaries and the utilized funds.
He said Cavite has 5,682 patients provided with PHP 11,935,763; Laguna – 2,903 patients with PHP 5,289,489; Batangas – 944 with PHP 3,383,415; Rizal – 142 with PHP 545,540; and Quezon – 2,987 patients allocated with PHP 8,454,222. (Saul Pa-a/PNA)
