Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian expressed gratitude to the 22 hospitals, pharmaceutical firms, medical suppliers, and distributors of assistive devices for partnering with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to expand the reach of its provision of guarantee letters (GL) to clients in medical crisis.
“Through this collaboration, we continue to be channels of hope for those going through traumatic and crippling situations, aiding them with vital support so they can cope and get through their crises,” Gatchalian said in his message during the recent signing ceremony held at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.
Under the partnership, clients of the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) who are dealing with medical crises can now access services from the partner institutions using DSWD-issued GLs.
The agency issues GLs to help indigent patients access medical care by assuring service providers that the government will cover part or all of their medical expenses.
“Thank you for all the services you are committing to provide to our clients in DSWD. We look forward to working with you as we serve our fellow Filipinos,” Gatchalian told representatives of various partners from the private and government sectors.
To further improve efficiency, the DSWD is initiating the automation of AICS, which will cover both dispensing and billing processes to benefit both the program’s clients and partner institutions.
Partner-hospitals include Allied Care Experts Medical Center (ACEMC) – Mandaluyong, Allied Care Experts Medical Center (ACEMC) – Valenzuela, Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC), Commonwealth Hospital and Medical Center (CHMC), Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH), Medical Center Manila (ManilaMed), Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC), Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC), and Valenzuela Medical Center (VMC).
The agency’s partners in the pharmaceutical industry are the CGD Medical Depot Inc., E Chi’mes Pharmaceutical Inc., Generika Drugstore, GetMeds Philippines Inc., Jackpharma Inc., MG Health Solutions (MedGrocer), Vital Health Pharmaceutical Corporation, and 2MG Inc.
The DSWD also strengthened support services by linking clients with therapy and learning centers like the Grow Center for Therapy and Learning Programs, and the Leap of Grace Learning Center, as well as implant distributors Basemed Kare Inc. and OrthoHub Philippines Corp.
Dialysis provider B Braun Avitum Philippines Inc. likewise signed up for the partnership.
