THE Cebu City Hospitalization and Medicine Program (Champ) is eyeing to tie up with more private hospitals to widen its health services for the public.
Champ head Jojo Lingaolingao said they only have four partner hospitals at present, namely, Ace Medical Center, Sacred Heart Hospital, Chong Hua Hospital and St. Vincent General Hospital.
These hospitals will automatically deduct P30,000 from the patient’s bill based on the letter of authority (LOA) issued by the Cebu City Government.
Under the program, qualified registered voters of Cebu City may avail themselves of financial assistance for in- and out-patient services from any participating government and private hospital or institution.
“Naay mga ospital nga willing mo tie up, modawat pa’g Champ (There are hospitals that are willing to tie up, accept Champ),” Lingaolingao said in a statement released by the city’s Public Information Office.
Each beneficiary will receive around P30,000 in cash, which will be deducted from the patient’s hospital bills.
Other private hospitals, such as the Adventist Hospital-Cebu, Visayas Community Medical Center, Perpetual Succour Hospital and Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital also honor the LOA but the amount will be given back to the patient through a refund.
Lingaolingao said the patient will only get the refund once the City Government pays the amount allowed in the LOA to the hospital where he or she was admitted.
For this year, Champ asked for P300 million in funds from the City Government. Included in the request is P26 million for the purchase of anti-rabies and tetanus vaccines.
Lingaolingao said many people went to his office after being bitten by animals to ask for anti-rabies and anti-tetanus shots, which are not available at the City Health Department. (PAC / TPT)