St. Luke's Medical Center offers free services to poor

[BoEinG_747]

QUEZON City's poor constituents would now have the chance to avail free medical care services at the country's premier hospital after the city government and the St. Luke's Medical Center forged an agreement that would provide residents greater access to quality health care.

The signing of the agreement was part of the city government's "Sagip Buhay" medical program and one of the highlights in the observance of the National Disability and Rehabilitation Week in QC.

Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Jose Ledesma, president and chief executive of St. Luke's, signed the agreement. Both described the agreement as vital in providing better and effective medical services to the city's poor constituents.

Belmonte said that the city government is proud having the St. Luke's Medical Center as one of its most important resources.

He added that the city is fortunate to have the hospital as one of its partners in the effort of providing basic services among the residents.

"Dito sa lungsod Quezon, kailangang walang maiiwan sa ating pag-angat. Dapat lahat kasama sa pag-unlad ng ating lungsod lalo at higit ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan," Belmonte added.

For his part, Ledesma said that the management of St. Luke's is very proud to be associated with the city government and vowed to continue to work with the city government.

City Treasurer Victor Endriga, on the other hand, said that the services to be provided by the SLMC shall be applied full and final settlement of the hospital's real property tax liabilities that have accrued each of the year covered.

This tax-swapping scheme opportunity, initiated by Belmonte and arranged by Endriga, has been applied to other government-owned hospitals in Quezon City.

Under the agreement, St. Luke's shall render the necessary medical care and assistance to city residents where P7-million shall be allocated for the years 2005 to 2010 for those who qualified under the QC Free Medical Services Program.

[kimpOy]

ayos ah!
congrats quezon city i hope other hospital and cities will follow suit