Department of Health (DOH) – MIMAROPA (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) on Monday monitoring the implementation of the Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients Program (MAIP) for indigent and poor patients among hospitals and health facilities in the region starting with the province of Oriental Mindoro.
“We need to assure the effective implementation, utilization and disbursement of funds in all authorized health facilities, including private health facilities that are under Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) with the regional office and ensure that these are properly utilized in accordance with MAIP implementing rules and guidelines,” Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo stated.
“This is also to ensure that MAIP funds in these health facilities are available and are being used for the provision of hospitalization expenses including drugs ad medicines, medical procedures, confinement and other patient care services for the indigent and poor patients”, he emphasized.
Among the health facilities visited by the MAIP monitoring team were the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital, Oriental Mindoro Central District Hospital, Oriental Mindoro Southern District Hospital, Ma. Estrella General Hospital, Bulalacao Provincial Hospital, Renato Umali Reyes Hospital of Bongabong and Bulalacao Community Hospital.
The Special Provision No.7 of Republic Act No.10964, known as the General Appropriation Act (GAA) of 2018, allocated funds to DOH for its “Assistance to Indigent Patients for hospitalization and assistance to indigent and poor patients.
The DOH manages the funds through the Public Assistance Unit which implements the Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients (MAIP).
From January 1 to December 31, 2017, DOH MIMAROPA MAIP has served a total of 22,216 patients. A total of 11,729 were from Palawan; 6,495 in Oriental Mindoro; 3,096 in Occidental Mindoro; 439 in Marinduque; and 457 in Romblon with a total amount of Php56,081,965.00 utilized.
According to Janairo, the regional office continuous to bring patients needing more specialized care to Manila and are given accommodation at the regional office while awaiting their scheduled treatment. All their basic needs are provided for during their stay including a standby 24/7 transportation to conduct them to and from the hospital.
