The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, offers medical assistance that covers hospitalization, laboratory procedures, surgeries, and medications. This government support is meant to help low-income and vulnerable individuals by lessening their medical expenses, especially during times of financial difficulty. However, many people, particularly in underserved barangays, are still not aware that this program exists. This study assessed the level of awareness among residents in selected barangays regarding the DSWD’s Medical Assistance Program, with the goal of proposing a healthcare access dissemination campaign. It employed a descriptive correlational research design, which was used to both describe the current level of awareness and examine the possible relationships between respondents’ demographic profiles and their awareness levels. Data were collected from 310 respondents using a structured questionnaire. The study evaluated the respondents’ demographic profiles, their awareness of medical assistance categories, such as hospital bills, medicines or assistive devices, and laboratory procedures, and their familiarity with the steps required to avail of such services. Findings showed that while the overall median awareness score was 3.00, suggesting moderate awareness, respondents were less informed about specific requirements like laboratory quotations and social case study reports. Furthermore, the procedural steps to avail the program were rated only as “slightly aware,” with a median score of 2.00. Statistical analysis revealed significant relationships between awareness levels and respondents’ employment status, barangay, and presence of comorbidities. A moderate positive correlation was also observed between awareness of assistance categories and procedural knowledge. These results highlight the need for clearer and more accessible public information. The study recommends a structured, barangay-based dissemination campaign to raise awareness and ensure that the DSWD’s medical assistance reaches those who need it most.
Lacson et al. (Wed,) studied this question.