A Pasay City resident’s hospital ordeal eased through the Malasakit Center

A Pasay City resident who suffered serious injuries after a fall at City Hall was able to undergo surgery and leave the hospital without paying medical bills after receiving assistance from the Malasakit Center at Pasay General Hospital.

Lolita Martin recounted that she was injured on April 4, 2025, after misjudging the height of a staircase due to impaired vision in her left eye, causing her to fall and lose the ability to stand. She was transported by ambulance to Pasay General Hospital, where doctors later determined that metal implants were necessary to treat fractures in her hip and thigh.

“Noong April 4, na-aksidente po ako sa City Hall. Yung pag-akyat ko po ng hagdan, hindi ko alam na mataas yung hagdan, nabababaan ko dahil malabo na po yung kaliwang mata ko. Bumagsak po akong bigla, hindi na po ako nakatayo,” Martin said.

She recalled being rushed to the hospital and learning that surgery was required due to the severity of her injuries. “So sa tindi po ng sakit ko, sinabi ng doktor na kailangan po lagyan ako ng bakal. So nag-isip po ako dahil wala po ako mapagkukunan ng paglalagyan ng bakal ko, gastos."

"Ang ginawa ko po, pumayag po ako. Sabi ko, bahala na si Lord. Meron naman siguro isang tao na tutulong sa akin para makaraos ako sa dinaranas ko ng pagkabali ng buto ko sa pigi, sa hita,” she said.

Martin said assistance came unexpectedly after representatives of the Malasakit Center coordinated with her family while she was already confined.

“Noong nakahiga na po ako, lumapit po ang Malasakit Center sa asawa ko na in-interview po tungkol po doon sa bakal na kailangan ko,” she said.

She detailed how initial support was provided even before the surgery took place. “Tinulungan po nila ako, binigyan muna po ako ng foam para po hindi ma-dislocate yung buto ko. 'Yun po ang unang tinulong nila sa akin. Pangalawa, ang tinulong nila sa akin, yung sa bakal,” she added.

After undergoing surgery and completing her recovery period inside the hospital, Martin said she was surprised by the outcome when she was cleared for discharge. “Tapos nung nangyari na po yung na-opera na po ako, nung lalabas na po ako ng April 25, wala po akong binayaran kahit singkong duling sa tulong ng Malasakit Center,” she said.

She emphasized that all hospital-related charges were covered, including professional fees.

“Ako po’y lubos na nagpapasalamat sa tulong ng inyong Malasakit Center na wala po akong binayaran ni singkong duling sa ospital ng Pasay General Hospital. Maski po yung charges ng operation ng doktor, wala po. Kasama po lahat doon,” Martin said.

Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops aiming to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.

As of now, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The Department of Health (DOH) reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 17 million Filipinos.

In sharing her experience, Martin also expressed gratitude to Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, a health reform crusader whose health reform crusade includes expanding access to medical assistance for indigent patients nationwide.

Go, who continues to push for health-related measures in the Senate, reiterated his promise to serve the public and prioritize social services.

“Hindi ko sasayangin yung tiwalang binigay n’yo po sa akin. Maglilingkod po ako sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya. 'Yan naman po ang aking pinangako noon. Sipag, serbisyo, at malasakit po ang puwede kong i-alay sa ating mga kababayang Filipino,” he said.

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