Dinagat islands: The provincial government of Dinagat Islands has provided PHP4.14 million in medical assistance to 416 residents admitted to Surigao City hospitals since January this year, underscoring its commitment to health care access for indigent and financially challenged patients.

According to Philippines News Agency, a Monday report from the provincial government detailed that the patients had been admitted to the Surigao Medical Center (SMC) and the Caraga Regional Hospital (CRH) since the start of the year. Of the total number of patients served from January to now, 268 were admitted to the SMC while 148 were in CRH.

The provincial government reported that a total of PHP392,493 was extended to beneficiaries admitted at the SMC, and PHP3.74 million at the CRH. All bills were charged to the Dinagat Islands' Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients or MAIFIP. The provincial government currently has a memorandum of agreement with SMC to implement the MAIFIP.

In a statement, Governor Nilo Demerey Jr. emphasized the provincial government's intent to alleviate the financial burden on families, helping them avoid debt and hardship due to hospital expenses. Demerey visited the remaining patients at the SMC and CRH on Sunday to personally assess their conditions.

Lone Guy Romano, the father of a four-month-old girl admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at CRH, expressed gratitude to the provincial government for the financial support. "Thank you, Gov. Demerey and the provincial government for the financial support to Dinagatnon patients," Romano said in a Facebook post.