Every citizen has the right to health. Thus, the government owes to the governed the provision of effective and efficient health care system, especially to those who have less or no means at all to acquire medical services. With this in mind, Governor Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda made public her plans of revolutionizing the province’s health care system through the rehabilitation of all 11 district hospitals to address the growing medical needs of the province.
The lady governor made it her foremost priority to ensure that the less fortunate patients are well attended to in government hospitals and that every Kapampangan would receive the medical attention they truly deserve.
However, Nanay Gov’s desire to provide quality yet affordable health services would not be realized with the rehabilitation of infrastructures alone.
Government hospitals are now engaged in a consignment scheme with various pharmaceutical companies to ensure that all medical supplies and medicines are always available in all district hospitals. Instances of medicines running out of stock are now eliminated. Furthermore, the Provincial Board, led by Vice Governor Joseller “Yeng” Guiao recently passed Ordinance No. 550 which marks the distribution of health access cards for the members of marginalized sectors. According to Board Member Monina “Monz” Laus, one of the authors of the said ordinance and chairperson of the Committee on Health, the “Health Access Card Program” for persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, indigent families, even village service providers, will augment the existing health projects of the provincial government and make medical services more accessible to the members of said sectors.
The provincial board has also authorized the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, headed by Elizabeth Estiller-Baybayan, to facilitate the implementation of said program, including the establishment of a Database Management System to monitor its progress.
Baybayan shared that the province will be distributing four types of health access cards varying in colors and discount rates, depending on the status of the recipients or beneficiaries. Gold access cards will be distributed to PWDs; senior citizens; appointed village service providers such as bantay bayan, health workers, and day care workers; and members of families with a combined monthly income of P4,000 below. Gold access card holders will be given 100% discount on all medical services including doctor’s fees, room fees, laboratory fees, and medicines in the 11 district hospitals of the province. Consequently, silver, bronze, and blue access card holders will be given 85%, 70%, and 50% discount, respectively. PWDs from the 2 cities and 19 municipalities of the province have already been briefed of the new health program, during the celebration of the 34th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, and welcomed the new development.
Nanay Gov’s mission to provide an integrated and comprehensive health care development program for the Kapampangans will come to fruition with the distribution of health access cards, partnered with the rehabilitated health facilities and abundant supplies and medicines throughout the province.
(Angelique Tuazon, PIO – Pampanga)
