As part of his efforts to give all Filipinos equal access to health care services, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s team this week visited Iloilo City to help almost a thousand of indigent patients cover their hospital bills.
The Medical Caravan, held at the Western Visayas Medical Center from June 14 to 15, 2023, was able to accommodate a total of 920 patients from across Iloilo Province and neighboring provinces such as Capiz, Antique, and Guimaras.
The beneficiaries were undergoing treatment for tuberculosis, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, mental health illnesses, and orthopedic injury, such as therapy, medicines, diagnostic and other medical procedures.
Rosanna dela Pena, a beneficiary from Capiz, was able to settle the bills they had incurred for a medical procedure her husband underwent for the treatment of stage 4 chronic kidney disease.
“Kailangan po naming dugtungan ang buhay ng asawa ko pero kulang kami sa budget. Nagsisipag po kami sa araw-araw, pero ang kinikita namin [sapat] lang po sa isang araw,” she said.
Dela Pena thanked the senator for the help they received.
“Makakauwi na kami sa Roxas,” she said.
Cayetano’s Tulong-Medikal Program, which is an initiative under his Bayanihan Caravan project, sets up help desks at different hospitals nationwide to assist underprivileged Filipinos with their medical expenses.
Since October 2022, the senator’s office has helped more than 3,000 indigent patients afford maintenance medicine, laboratory fees, necessary medical procedures, and hospitalization, among others.
