BACOLOD CITY — The Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program (NOCHP), which marked its eighth year on Tuesday, has served a total of 368,541 patients since it was launched in 2010.
The anniversary celebration was highlighted by the inauguration of the NOCHP satellite office at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH) in Silay City led by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
Marañon said the NOCHP is one of the most successful programs of the provincial government that has benefited many underprivileged families.
“It is beyond politics and is intended for the poor,” the governor said.
Lacson, for his part, expressed hope that more Negrenses will be able to avail of the benefits of NOCHP.
As of August 31 this year, the provincial government has disbursed hospital expenses amounting to PHP208.273 million for the NOCHP. The program’s membership includes 276,465 member-families.
An NOCHP cardholder and his dependents are entitled to free out-patient care, which includes consultations with full-course treatment and medicines, and subsidized in-patient care in provincial government-run hospitals and other participating government hospitals.
NOCHP is a priority program of the provincial government and the congressional districts. It is being implemented in cooperation with the local government units, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., and the Department of Health.
As part of the anniversary program, Marañon signed a visiting consultant agreement with Dr. Ramon Gustilo, a world-renowned orthopedics specialist from Manapla, Negros Occidental.
Gustilo will render free services to patients in the hospital as part of his professional duty.
Marañon said as visiting consultant, Gustilo signified his intention to provide services needed by the TLJPH and provide work not performed by the regular personnel of the hospital.
Gustilo is the founder and charter president of the US Orthopedic Trauma Association, a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery and American Orthopedic Association, chairman and CEO of the Orthopedic International Inc. Philippines, and founder of the Philippine Orthopedic Institute Philippines. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
