(PIA Southern Leyte)
MAASIN CITY — Indigent and financially incapacitated patients at the Salvacion Oppus Yñigues Memorial Provincial Hospital in Maasin City received relief from hospital expenses through the Department of Health’s Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients program.
SOYMPH Chief of Hospital Dr. Ionne Castillones said the Southern Leyte provincial government received a fresh Php 20 million MAIFIP fund transfer on September 21, 2026.
The program helps qualified patients who cannot afford medical expenses, with some beneficiaries leaving the hospital without paying covered charges after completing the required documents.
Among those assisted was the family of 83-year-old Mercedes Siega of Maasin City, whose Php 83,000 hospital bill after treatment for stroke and pneumonia was covered through the program.
Other beneficiaries included patients treated for gastroenteritis and families who incurred childbirth expenses, including cesarean deliveries. Hospital bills cited by beneficiaries ranged from Php 14,000 to more than Php 100,000.
One couple, Vincent and Marielle Medalle of Barangay Upper Pansaan, said their Php 103,000 hospital bill following a cesarean delivery was covered through MAIFIP, PhilHealth and other assistance.
Castillones said the program has allowed qualified patients to receive needed medical care while reducing or eliminating out-of-pocket hospital expenses.
MAIFIP forms part of the government’s medical assistance programs for indigent and financially challenged patients.
