FOR Ellaine Salas, a 38-year-old mother from Mexico, Pampanga, life took a sharp turn when she was diagnosed with jejunojejunal intussusception—a rare and painful intestinal condition.
What started as mild discomfort quickly escalated into a medical emergency, pushing her family to their limits emotionally and financially.
A devoted mother of two, Ellaine juggled her responsibilities at home and in their small family business. But when the diagnosis came, Ellaine found herself in a hospital bed, unable to take care of her children, while her family struggled to afford the mounting medical expenses.
Her family sought help wherever they could, but it wasn’t until they were introduced to Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s medical support initiatives that they began to see a way forward. Ellaine vividly remembers the day her husband, overwhelmed and desperate, approached Go’s office.
“Binigyan po nila kami ng agarang aksyon,” she shared.
Through Go’s support, Ellaine’s family was able to access the medical assistance needed to cover her surgery and post-operative care.
The streamlined process not only eased their financial burden but also gave them precious time to focus on Ellaine’s recovery.
Aside from his compassionate brand of public service initiatives, Go also institutionalized the establishment of Malasakit Centers to consolidate assistance from various government agencies into a one-stop shop for patients in need. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
As of now, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The Department of Health (DOH) reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 15 million Filipinos.
Go, known endearingly as “Mr. Malasakit” by those he has helped, explained his vision for the initiative:
“Nanggagaling po sa inyo ang aking lakas at patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa abot ng aking makakaya. Hindi po ako politiko na mangangako. Gagawin ko lang po ang aking trabaho para makapagserbisyo po sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya.”
Ellaine’s story is just one among thousands, but for her family, it means everything.
“Sana ay madagdagan pa po ‘yung pondo pagdating sa health ng mga tao,” she said, expressing her hopes for more families to benefit from the program.
Today, Ellaine is back home with her children, and her strength slowly returning. Her journey is a testament to the transformative impact of accessible healthcare, made possible through efforts to bridge gaps in the system.
“Maraming salamat po, Senator Bong Go, sa pagtutok sa healthcare system dito sa Pilipinas,” she said. “Maraming salamat po sa tulong ninyo.”
