MANILA -- Less fortunate Filipinos who are undergoing dialysis will no longer have to worry about the fees for the medical procedure as it is now given for free by the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“Upang mas lalo pang makatulong sa mga pasyente, ang dating siyam-napung libreng dialysis sessions ay inakyat na natin sa isandaan at limampu’t anim. Mga kababayan, libre na po ngayon ang dialysis para sa karamihan ng Pilipino,” President Marcos said.

The President made the remarks during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday as he emphasized that over 3.4 million Filipinos have also received health assistance under the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAP) program of the Health Department.

The President also emphasized that the government is also working on resolving the shortage of doctors and nurses in the country.

“Tinutugunan natin ngayon ang ating kakulangan sa mga doctor at mga nurse, sa pamamagitan ng mga reporma sa edukasyon, patuloy na pagsasanay, at paniniguro sa kanilang kapakanan,” Marcos said.

The chief executive said that the government has already deployed doctors to almost 200 municipalities in the country as he vowed to deploy more in the remaining 19 towns.

“Upang masuklian naman ang naging sakripisyo ng ating mga health workers sa pribado at pampubliko na mga ospital noong nakaraang pandemya, ipapamahagi na sa kanila ang kanilang COVID health emergency allowance at iba pang mga nabinbing benepisyo,” the President said. (PND)