My mother needed to get some laboratory tests after a doctor checked her for painful areas on her body and what appeared to be a contusion on her leg.
I remembered that about two years ago, a Super Health Center opened near our place. It was only about 2 km from our house, and according to its Facebook page, it provides free checkups and basic laboratory services to the residents of Brgy. San Francisco, General Trias.
My mother fasted starting the night before our visit, as required for her laboratory tests. We woke up around 4:00 AM because the line for free medical services tends to get really long. We wanted to plan ahead since, during our visit the previous year, there was a daily cutoff of 50 patients in the morning and 50 in the afternoon. I dropped my mother off at the center, and once she let me know she was in queue, I went back home to sleep for work later that day.
When I woke up, I was shocked to learn from my mother that she had been charged around ₱5,000 for all the laboratory services. She decided to pay because she had already fasted and didn't want to go through the process all over again.
I was furious because the center issued her a receipt from a private clinic; despite having their own laboratory facilities. As soon as I learned about this scheme, I called the 8888 hotline and narrated everything to the agent. She was very accommodating and helpful, letting me know that the complaint would be coordinated with the concerned local government unit. She advised me to follow up within 3 working days and gave me a reference number for the case.
Today, my mother went back to the center for her follow-up checkup. She needed another urine test to check if her UTI had cleared after taking antibiotics, and she was pleasantly surprised to learn that the laboratory tests are now completely free of charge.
If you experience any irregularities with government services, don't hesitate to report them to 8888. Based on our experience, it is a truly effective government program.
Edit:
During my mom's first visit, all of them who had laboratory checks were charged. The check up was free but the labs required payment.
Today, when my mother had her labs again, it was already free, and she told me that she's glad we made the report because all of the patients are informed now that the laboratory services in the health center are free of charge - as they should be.
