“Nagpapasalamat ako at may mga ahensiya tayo ng pamahalaan katulad ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) na handang tumulong sa mga taong nangangailangan  (I am thankful that there are government agencies like the DSWD which are ready to help people in need),” Ellen Ibabao, 35, from Pandacan Manila, shared to officials and staff of the DSWD during the flag raising ceremony on Monday. 

Ellen is suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease Stage V, and had to immediately undergo hemodialysis treatment twice a week at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City. This disease renders the kidneys to fail to function adequately in filtering waste products in the blood.

She found out she had this ailment when she was about to renew her contract in Japan as a singer in 2005.  She worked in Japan for only six months.

Ellen narrated that she was not able to save money from her work abroad since she has to support her mother who was sick then.

“Nalulungkot ako sa aking kalagayan. Ayaw kong makipag-usap kahit kanino, maski sa aking mga kapamilya at kaibigan (I felt sad about my condition. I did not want to talk to anybody, not even to my family and friends),” Ellen confessed.

But when her condition worsened, Ellen decided to seek for help.

It was in 2009 when Ellen started her dialysis treatment and she needed P3,000 twice a week for this.

“Lahat po ng ahensya na dapat kong lapitan ay nalapitan ko para maipagpatuloy ang aking gamutan. Bukod po sa DSWD, nakalapit na din po ako sa Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Senate, at House of Representatives upang makahingi ng medical assistance (I sought help from different agencies to continue my treatment. Aside from DSWD, I went to PCSO, Senate, and the House of Representatives),” Ellen continued.

Ellen has been receiving assistance from the DSWD through the Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) for her medical treatment since 2009.

AICS is a program implemented by the DSWD-Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) for the needy. Aside from medical help, services under the AICS include transportation, burial, food and non-food, and educational assistance.

As of August 31, some 102,981 clients nationwide have been assisted with more than P334 million already disbursed.

Meanwhile, DSWD Assistant Secretary Javier R. Jimenez handed over to Ellen a check worth P18,000 to cover her four sessions of hemodialysis treatment payable directly to NKTI.

“Lubos po akong nagpapasalamat sa DSWD dahil sa na tulong na ito. Malaki ang pag-asa ko na ako ay gagaling (I am thankful to DSWD. With this help, I have high hopes that I will recover from this ailment).” Ellen enthused.

Those who are in similar situation as Ellen may call the DSWD-Crisis Intervention Unit at 951-74-33 or 931-81-05 loc. 508 for the requirements  on the availment of assistance. They can also call the nearest DSWD Field Office in their locality. ###