President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., on Tuesday during his visit to the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City, once more thanked the country’s doctors and health workers for their heroic service to the nation.

“Kailangan nating pasalamatan lahat ng ating magigiting at napakasipag at napaka-dedicated na healthcare workers,” said President Marcos in his remarks at the EAMC.

“Sa mga doktor, sa mga nurse, sa mga medtech, sa mga staff, sa mga non-medical, lahat. Alam naman natin hindi sila necessarily na sumusunod sa oras ng kanilang duty. ‘Pag kinakailangan sila, sila ay nandiyan pa rin kahit na on break na sila,” the Chief Executive said.

The President cited the heroism and dedicated work of doctors and health workers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ito ang kabayanihan na ating nakita noong COVID. At tuloy-tuloy nakikita natin ang kabayanihan ng ating mga medical health workers,” President Marcos said, recalling that he was infected with the virus during the pandemic.

“At talaga namang isa na ako doon. I was one of the beneficiaries. Kung hindi sa inyo, hindi na ako – wala na ako rito, natangay na ako ng COVID,” said President Marcos.

“Kaya, again, that instinct of service, of dedication, they continue to show – kahit walang pandemya – nakikita natin they continue to show at talagang malalaki ang puso nila para tulungan ‘yung ating mga kababayan,” the President added.

President Marcos visited the EAMC to check on the implementation of the “Bayad na Bill mo” or the zero balance billing program now being implemented in 87 Department of Health (DOH) hospitals nationwide.

The President passed by the hospital’s admitting area on the ground floor, and interacted with patients, caregivers, and hospital staff at the orthopedic ward on the sixth floor, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on the third floor of the hospital.The Chief Executive took a selfie with a young patient in the orthopedic ward.

President Marcos was accompanied by Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and EAMC chief Dr. Alfonso Nuñez during the visit.