NARARAPAT na obligahin ang Department of Health (DOH) na pondohan ang mga gamot at medical equipment sa lahat ng pampublikong ospital sa bansa gamit ang pondo ng Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP), ito ang ihahaing panukalang batas ngayong linggo ni House Deputy Majority Leader at ACT-CIS partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo kasama ang apat pang mambabatas .
Sinabi ni Tulfo , “Madalas ang problema at laging sumbong ng ating mga kababayan ay walang available na mga gamot at kulang-kulang ang mga gamit sa pampublikong ospital.
Gusto nating masiguro sa batas na ito na dapat ay laging available ang mga gamot at kumpleto sa medical equipment sa public hospitals at libre itong mapapakinabangan ng publiko lalo na ng mga mahihirap nating kababayan,” saad pa ni Tulfo.
Kasama ni Tulfo na maghahain ng panukalang batas ang kanyang mga kasamahan sa ACT-CIS partylist na sina Reps. Edvic Yap at Jocelyn Tulfo; Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, at Quezon City 2nd district Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo.
Ang panukalang batas ay may titulong “An Act Mandating the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure the availability of medicines and procurement of medical equipment in all public hospitals through the utilization of the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Fund, and for other Purposes.”
“This Act, known as the “Universal Medical Access and Equipment Act of 2025”, addresses the persistent challenge of inadequate access to essential medicines and diagnostic equipment in public hospitals across the Philippines,” ayon sa panukalang batas “Recognizing that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right, this bill mandates the DOH to provide adequate medicines and procure essential medical equipment for all government hospitals, utilizing the MAIFIP Fund,” dagdag pa nito.
Sinabi ng mga mambabatas na sa kasalukuyan ay maraming mga pampublikong ospital, partikular sa malalayong lugar ang kulang-kulang ang mga kagamitan at kadalasang hindi available ang mga gamot na kailangan ng kanilang mga residente.
Kadalasan ng mga ospital, lalo na sa ilang maliliit na probinsya at bayan, ay walang mga X-ray machines, ultrasound machines, at ECG machines.
“These shortages often force patients, especially indigent and financially incapacitated individuals, to forgo necessary medical care, leading to delayed diagnoses, poorer health outcomes, and increased financial burden,” anang mga mambabatas.
“This situation perpetuates health disparities and undermines the government’s efforts to provide universal healthcare,” giit nila.
“This bill is not merely about providing medicines and equipment; it is about strengthening the entire public healthcare system and ensuring that every Filipino, regardless of financial status or location, has access to quality medical care,” dagdag pa ng panukalang batas.
