DIANA Grace Dimaano Bagonoc, a teacher, experienced firsthand how Malasakit Centers help patients whose financial capacity is limited.

The Special Education teacher from Sampaloc, Manila is suffering from stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease.

Diana recounted her painful and challenging journey, as well as the chain of events that led to her health predicament.

“Nagsimula po ito noong 2019 at ngayon po ay isa po akong pasyente ng National Kidney Transplant Institute na nagda-dialysis po,” she narrated.

As her debilitating ailment cut short her employment, Diana was confronted with the harsh reality of escalating medical costs and dwindling financial resources.

The Malasakit Center at the NKTI in Quezon City helped her a lot.

“Nalaman ko ang Malasakit Center sa social worker. Ang pagkakaalam ko po ang nagtatag ng Malasakit Center ay si Senator Bong Go.”

Through the center, she was able to conveniently avail of medical assistance from various government programs and agencies without having to go to different offices to seek help.

“Kung wala pong Malasakit Center, hirap ako kung saan ako pupunta. Ang masasabi ko lang po kay Senator Bong Go ay maraming maraming salamat po sa tunay na malasakit po para sa mamamayang Pilipino. Kung hindi sa naitatag na Malasakit Center, wala na pong pag-asa ‘yung ibang nangangailangan ng tulong,” she said.