DBM releases P27.4 billion medical aid for indigent patients
The Philippine Department of Budget and Management has released P27.4 billion to fund medical assistance programs for indigent patients. The funds will be distributed across various public hospitals and specialty centers to cover medical bills and procedures.
Why it matters
This represents a significant injection of public funds into the healthcare sector to improve accessibility for low-income citizens.
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P27.4 billion to fund the government's medical assistance program for indigent and financially incapacitated patients.
In a statement, the DBM said the funds would support the continued implementation of the medical assistance to indigent and financially incapacitated patients program of the Department of Health. The MAIFIP is chargeable against the DOH regular budget under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
"The P27.4 billion we are releasing is meant to translate into real help at the hospital level - medicines that can be bought, procedures that can be performed and medical bills that families do not have to shoulder on their own," Budget Secretary Kim Robert de Leon said.
Of the amount, P19.15 billion will go to DOH Centers for Health Development, which will provide assistance through partner local government hospitals and privately owned institutions and other health facilities.
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