Senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Iloilo City will soon receive free maintenance medicines under the city government’s newly launched MediSen+ Program.

Mayor Raisa Treñas on Monday launched the program with an initial allocation of PHP20 million, saying it addresses one of the most pressing needs of the city’s vulnerable residents.

“After reviewing the needs of our senior citizens and PWDs, we found that medicines topped the list. That is why we launched MediSen+,” Treñas said in an interview Tuesday.

She said the program aims to ease the financial burden on senior citizens, many of whom no longer have a steady source of income.

“With this program, I want our senior citizens to feel that they’re not alone. The city government is here for you and is working for you,” she said.

The city government will conduct registration and medical checkup caravans in every barangay to determine each beneficiary’s maintenance medicine requirements.

Medical teams will also visit bedridden senior citizens and PWDs to ensure they are enrolled.

Residents may also register and seek consultations at their barangay health stations or health centers, where prescriptions will be validated by the City Health Office.

Once enrolled, beneficiaries may claim their monthly medicines at any of the city’s nine district health centers.

Treñas said the initial PHP20 million allocation covers the program’s implementation this year, adding that the city plans to include funding for MediSen+ in future budgets to ensure its continuity.

The program will initially cover maintenance medicines for hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Iloilo City has more than 40,000 registered senior citizens. (PNA)