Social workers to assess medical aid for poor — DOH

MANILA, Philippines — The access of indigent patients to medical assistance rests solely on the assessment of social workers, the Department of Health (DOH) clarified Wednesday, after the agency was linked in the latest push to amend the Constitution.

“The only consideration of the DOH for the distribution of medical assistance for indigent and financially incapacitated patients is their circumstance as evaluated by a licensed social worker at a hospital or health facility,” the department said. 

The DOH issued the statement after Sen. Imee Marcos claimed each congressional district was offered up to P20 million to gather enough signatures by next week to support a House of Representatives-backed charter change initiative. 

“I condemn the offer because our Constitution is not for sale. Apparently they offer the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s assistance to individuals in crisis situations (AICS), Department of Labor and Employment’s TUPAD or tulong panghanapbuhay sa ating disadvantaged/displaced workers and the DOH’s medical assistance to indigent patients program (MAIPP),” Marcos said. 

Marcos also alleged that districts that deliver a high number of signatures will reportedly get P10 million from the DOH’s medical assistance program. 

The DOH guidelines state that funds of the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Program cover medicines, services, and other medical products as prescribed by licensed physicians or health professionals.

To avail medical assistance under the program, patients or their authorized representatives shall submit documents to the Medical Social Service or the designated officer of the health facility. 

The registered social worker of the health facility will then assess the eligibility of patients and process the medical assistance.