TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)-Kalinga branch has assisted a total of 134 indigent clients in December 2022 through the Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP).
According to Social Welfare Officer Melda Ayochok, the amount released for the said month was P1,167,000 to support medication and hospitalization.
Of the 134 beneficiaries, 38 dialysis patients were assisted for their injections, 89 were supported during their confinement, and seven clients were given P10,000 each through a Guarantee Letter after utilizing the 144 free dialysis sessions provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
Ayochok said that fund for the IMAP in December 2022 received an increase of P872,927 due to a realignment of the budget, and a portion of the fund for the operation of Malasakit Center was appropriated for the PCSO Kalinga branch.
The PCSO staff disclosed that for this January 2023, the fund for IMAP is P354,000 (P16,000 daily) only.
Ayochok explained that with this limited fund, only indigent clients, with a high cost of hospital bill or undergoing expensive medical procedure or treatment will be prioritized for the assistance. Indigent Philhealth members are automatically disqualified for the IMAP because of the No Balance Billing policy of the government, she added.
The PCSO clarifies that much to its desire to reach out to all IMAP applicants, the assistance depends on the availability of fund and expenses incurred during hospitalization and treatment as well as severity of medical condition.
