DURING Sen. Bong Go's recent visit to Mati City, Davao Oriental, he met with Kenneth Donia, a 43-year-old resident who had been undergoing dialysis for five years due to kidney failure.

Donia's condition significantly improved with the support of the Malasakit Center initiative, which provides medical assistance to indigent patients in 165 public hospitals nationwide.

Donia said that the initiative has relieved his financial burden and positively impacted his overall well-being.

As chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go is committed to achieving health care equity by bridging the gap in medical accessibility for underserved communities.

His efforts led to the establishment of Malasakit Centers in 2018 and the passage of Republic Act 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, principally authored and sponsored by Go, underscoring his dedication to enhancing medical assistance accessibility for indigent Filipinos.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for medical assistance that supports indigent patients without requiring them to visit multiple locations where participating agencies are located.

In Davao Oriental, a Malasakit Center is located at the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati City.

Donia's story highlights the significant impact of Malasakit Centers in promoting accessible health care. Through Go's initiative, these centers have become essential in supporting individuals like Kenneth, ensuring they receive necessary medical care without facing exorbitant costs.

During the relief activity led by Go on June 29 in Mati City, Donia personally thanked Senator Go for the support provided through the Malasakit program.

"Many thanks to Senator Bong Go for his Malasakit Center project, which serves the entire Philippines. It has provided significant assistance, including to individuals like me who have various needs and to Filipinos facing hardships, especially during these times," he said.