Senator Christopher “Bong” Go commended doctors and medical staff for their excellent work in the successful surgery and recovery of Ribby Ringo Jimenez who suffered from a rare skin condition. In a personal message, Go conveyed his deep joy at the news and wished her a long and fulfilling life following a difficult period of treatment.

“Ribby, nagpakita ka ng kamangha-manghang lakas ng loob at katatagan sa gitna ng matinding pagsubok. Your journey serves as an inspiration, not only to the people who suffer the same medical condition, but also to many Filipinos during this time of fear and uncertainty,” said Go.

“Nawa’y gamitin mo ang pagkakataon na ito upang maging malusog, masaya at gumawa ng maraming masasayang alaala kasama ang iyong pamilya,” he continued.

Jimenez, a resident of the town of Naval in Biliran, was diagnosed with a skin tag on the occipital region of her head upon her birth. After a video of her condition went viral, the Senator offered his assistance to Jimenez through the efforts of Congressman Gerry Espina and personally referred her for treatment at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila.

She underwent x-rays, including an angiogram, a CT scan, biopsy procedure and two surgeries before the lesion was successfully removed. In what is considered a rare case, she also suffered heavy bleeding following her first surgery.

Go’s office continued to support the patient throughout her stay at the PGH, covering the costs of her medicine, medical supplies, food and transportation needs. The Office of the President also provided separate assistance to ensure her full recovery.

In a message to the Senator and their other benefactors, Jimenez’s partner Florencio dela Peña Jr. extended their family’s gratitude to everyone who played a role to help get Jimenez the treatment she needed.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa lahat ng tumulong at nagdasal para sa kaligtasan ng operasyon ng asawa ko, lalo na kay Congressman Gerardo Espina Jr., sa Wish Ko Lang at sa mga taong tumulong para mag-viral ang video ng misis ko. Salamat, President Rodrigo Duterte, para sa charity ward na ibinigay mo sa mga tulad naming mahihirap,” began Dela Peña.

“Maraming salamat din kay Senator Bong Go na nag-endorse sa amin sa PGH at sa kanyang staff na walang sawang sumuporta at naging koneksyon namin sa lahat ng panggamot. Salamat, Senator Bong Go, dahil kung hindi sa inyo hindi madudugtungan ang buhay ng asawa ko at hindi matatanggal ‘yung bigat na dinadala ko,” he continued.

To fund her medical treatment, Jimenez’s family was able to obtain government assistance through the Malasakit Center located within the PGH. The said aid covered all medical and hospital expenses incurred during her treatment and stay at the hospital.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which brings together the government agencies that offer medical assistance programs. The agencies include the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

It ensures patients have convenient access to sufficient medical attention by reducing to the lowest possible amount the balance of the bills of those who seek its services. The center covers laboratories, medicines, surgeries and other patient services and expenses.

A staunch advocate of universal health care, Go is the principal author and sponsor of the measure that became Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the ‘Malasakit Centers Act of 2019’. The bill was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on December 3, 2019.

There are currently 108 Malasakit Centers throughout the country, the most recent of which were launched at the Conner District Hospital in Conner, Apayao and the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital in Bauko, Mountain Province on Friday, May 7. The centers have benefited some two million poor and financially incapacitated Filipino patients as of writing.

“Ito ang layunin namin na ang bawat Pilipino ay magkaroon ng access sa mga serbisyong pangkalusugan. Kaya walang pinipili at walang pulitika dito sa Malasakit Center. Para ito sa lahat, lalong-lalo na sa mga mahihirap at walang matakbuhan,” said Go.

“At para naman sa mga kapwa kong probinsyano na kailangan ng operasyon sa syudad dahil hindi kakayanin ng mga ospital sa lugar ninyo, huwag kayong mahiyang lumapit sa akin. Trabaho ko ang magserbisyo sa inyo at gagawin namin ang lahat ng aming makakaya para makatulong at magmalasakit sa inyong mga pinagdadaanan lalo na pagdating sa kalusugan,” he added.