By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) is mobilizing its regional offices to strengthen medical assistance for indigent and financially incapacitated patients nationwide, aiming to improve access to essential healthcare services and ease the financial burden of hospitalization.
The initiative took center stage during the National Assembly for the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) 2026, hosted by the DOH Ilocos Region on October 28 in San Juan, La Union.
The national gathering brought together DOH regional directors and MAIFIP coordinators to harmonize program guidelines, improve fund utilization and speed up the delivery of medical subsidies to financially vulnerable Filipinos.
Health Undersecretary Zhielah Ritz C. Gatchalian attended as guest of honor, underscoring the central office’s commitment to expanding the healthcare safety net and ensuring that poverty does not prevent Filipinos from accessing necessary medical treatment.
Participants also conducted workshops to evaluate program implementation, exchange best practices and identify ways to improve the delivery of medical assistance across regions.
The assembly sought to establish a simpler, more coordinated and efficient MAIFIP program while strengthening regional cooperation in support of the Universal Health Care law.
MAIFIP provides eligible patients with financial assistance for medical services, prescription drugs, medicines, laboratory tests and hospitalization expenses in government hospitals and partner private healthcare facilities.
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