Shimura to discontinue health card program

Fourth District Congressman-elect Sun Shimura has announced that he will no longer continue the health card medical assistance program initiated by the late congressman Benhur Salimbangon and sustained by his wife, outgoing Congresswoman Janice Salimbangon.

- Le Phyllis F. Antojado/FPL

The Benhur Health Card Medical Assistance Program has been a long-running initiative subsidizing medical expenses for indigent patients in the fourth district. However, Shimura said he has no plans to continue the program, citing concerns about its use as a “political tool.”

“Dili na kinahanglan og health card, kay magamit man na politika. Sa tibook Probinsya, kami ra diri sa cuatro distrito ang naa anang health card. Okay na ang certificate of indigency or barangay certificate or proof that you are a registered voter sa atong district, para makaavail ka sa mga health services nato,” Shimura told The Freeman in a phone interview.