Section 4Sec./Art. 4

Malasakit Program. The DOH shall establish a Malasakit Program that all DOH hospitals and the PGH shall adopt and implement.1шphi1 It shall have the following objectives:

(a) Provide a policy framework for integrated people-centered health services that shall: (1) ensure and promote an organizational culture geared towards responsiveness; (2) ensure appropriate infrastructure and processes; and (3) promote client engagement and empowerment; and

(b) Ensure financial risk protection and alleviate the financial burden of indigent and financially incapacitated patients and families who avail of health services in public hospitals through financial and medical assistance provided by national government agencies, local government, nongovernment organizations, private corporations and individuals: Provided, That financially incapacitated patients who seek health services in other public hospitals and private facilities are still eligible to avail of financial and medical assistance subject to the assessment and recommendation of the medical social worker.

The DOH shall provide policy direction and pertinent guidelines, in consultation with the DSWD, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the PhilHealth to ensure and promote responsive and effective social service engagement in Malasakit Centers.