Makati City has made significant strides in supporting its citizens thanks to the implementation of the Makati City Yellow Card program — a city-subsidized health care program available to registered voters. One of the most-availed service is the free and unlimited dialysis program.
Makati’s dialysis program has successfully provided a total of 166,677 sessions to 19,268 Makati City Yellow Card holders, Mayor Abby Binay today said.
The mayor explained that Yellow Card holders do not shell out a single centavo for dialysis sessions because the city shoulders the remaining balance not covered by PhilHealth.
“In Makati, we prioritize the health of our citizens above all. Our unlimited dialysis program is structured to ensure that no resident is deprived of necessary care due to financial constraints,” the mayor said.
The mayor said this is proof of her administration’s total commitment to providing essential healthcare services and improving the quality of life for all Makatizens.
Dialysis can be a significant financial burden for many families due to how often patients need to undergo the procedure. Majority of the patients need to undergo dialysis 2-3 times a week.
At the city-run Ospital ng Makati (OsMak), a single dialysis session for non-Yellow Card holders and non-residents costs between P4,130 and P5,560. These rates at OsMak are much lower than private clinics and hospitals. PhilHealth only covers up to P2,600 per session, and patients and their families are responsible for the remaining balance.
This underscores the value of the Yellow Card, also known as Makati Health Plus Card, in reducing the financial hardship of residents requiring dialysis, she said.
“The Yellow Card ensures that financial barriers do not prevent Makatizens from accessing essential, life-saving healthcare. My administration has always focused on bridging the gap between social classes and guaranteeing that no one gets left behind – be it in education, social services, and healthcare delivery,” Mayor Abby said.
“Our approach guarantees that all patients receive the care they need in a timely and efficient manner, with full support from the city’s healthcare infrastructure,” she added.
Makati City also provides free chemotherapy sessions to cancer patients at OsMak, free maintenance medicines, free check-ups and laboratory procedures, and more.
The city has also opened the doors of its health centers to non-Yellow Card holders and non-Makati residents. Anyone can enjoy free consultation and can have medicines prescribed.
