FREE MEDICINES FOR SENIORS, PWDS TO CONTINUE YEARLY UNDER MAYOR RAISA

ILOILO CITY – Senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) can expect continued access to free maintenance medicines as Mayor Raisa S. Treñas assured that the Iloilo City Government will provide a yearly budget for the MediSen+ Program.

As one of her administration’s priority health care initiatives, Mayor Treñas is committed to sustaining the program through an annual funding allocation to ensure uninterrupted access to maintenance medicines for elderly Ilonggos and PWDs.

“This is one of the priority programs under our administration, and I will make sure nga kada tuig pondohan gid naton ini nga programa kay nakita naton nga dako gid ini nga bulig, indi lang para sa aton senior citizens kundi pati man sa ila mga pamilya nga nagabulig sa pagbakal sang ila maintenance medicines,” Mayor Treñas said during an interview on the Iloilo City Government radio program “Your City at Work” over Aksyon Radyo Iloilo.

Launched on Aug. 3, the city initially allocated PHP 20 million for the procurement of maintenance medicines under the MediSen+ Program. The procurement process is now underway.

The program covers commonly prescribed medicines for hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, cholesterol management, and other chronic conditions, including Losartan, Valsartan, Telmisartan, Amlodipine, Metformin, Gliclazide, Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Trimetazidine, and Omeprazole.

City Health Officer Dr. Mary Ann Diaz said the City Health Office will immediately notify beneficiaries through Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and barangay officials once the medicines arrive.

While awaiting the delivery of the medicines, Diaz encouraged eligible senior citizens and PWDs to register at their nearest Barangay Health Station or District Health Center to ensure they are included on the list of beneficiaries.

The MediSen+ Program will be implemented through the city’s nine District Health Centers and their respective Barangay Health Stations, making free maintenance medicines more accessible to residents across Iloilo City. Beneficiaries under the care of private physicians may present their latest prescription, which will be validated by a City Health Office medical officer before enrollment.

Mayor Treñas also encouraged caregivers and family members of bedridden senior citizens to coordinate with their nearest Barangay Health Station or District Health Center so doctors can conduct home visits and update patients’ prescriptions.

She noted that the city government has already activated 80 Barangay Health Stations across Iloilo City, with doctors conducting regular weekly rounds to bring health care services closer to communities.

“Ang aton mga caregivers ukon family members nga naga-atipan sang aton mga bedridden senior citizens, magkadto lang sa inyo pinakamalapit nga barangay health center ukon district health center kag i-update ang aton health staff. Makadtuan kamo sang doctor agud ma-check kag ma-update ang reseta sang pasyente,” she said.

Mayor Treñas added that the city is also expanding access to medicines through the PhilHealth YAKAP Pharmacy Program.

She announced that the Iloilo City Hall Pharmacy and the city’s nine district pharmacies are being registered as PhilHealth-accredited YAKAP Pharmacies. Once accredited, these facilities will provide up to 75 essential medicines required under the PhilHealth program, allowing eligible PhilHealth members to receive medicines free of charge.

The expansion complements the MediSen+ Program as part of the Iloilo City Government’s continuing efforts to ensure that free, quality health care remains accessible to every Ilonggo, especially senior citizens, PWDs, and other vulnerable sectors. (Press Release)