Aid to underprivileged chronic patients with the financing and purchasing of medications that are included in the Health Services Basket.
LATET Health is designed to assist chronically-ill patients (mainly elderly patients), who are unable to physically access the pharmacies and/or afford medications, to maintain a normal standard of life. LATET helps them by sponsoring the deductible towards purchasing medications included in the governmental health basket. The program is carried out by LATET volunteers who visit the beneficiaries' homes, distribute monthly coupons, assist beneficiaries who are unable to access pharmacies and provide all beneficiaries with information about patients' rights in Israel. Through this project, LATET aims to raise public awareness and educate the Israeli public about the problem of being unable the purchase prescription drugs due to financial difficulties. In addition, LATET is advocating for governmental involvement and legislation to address the problems of chronically-ill patients within the health care system.
The program is dedicated to the memory of the late Jonathan Bach.
The Need:
· 31% of the population in Israel is forced to forego medical services, such as doctor visits and the purchase of medication (Bi-Annual Health Survey, Brookdale Institute).
· 20% of the chronic patients who require medication on a regular basis, forego the acquisition of prescription drugs. (Bi-Annual Health Survey, Brookdale Institute).
· 35% of those receiving aid require constant medical attention and do not receive it due to financial difficulties. (2007 Alternative Poverty Report).
Project Objectives:
· Assistance in the acquisition of medication for the needy, suffering from financial and/or physical limitations.
· Providing information on rights of patients and their families and possibilities for obtaining help.
· Activities toward changing policy and promoting a permanent government solution.
· Mobilizing Israeli society into action for weak populations.
In light of the acute need in terms of health and with the intention of harnessing the existing logistical and organizational experience and infrastructures, Latet operates “LATET Health” with the aim of helping the neediest population in purchasing medication and improving their awareness to patient rights granted by law.
Implementation:
Locating the needy: Carried out according to criteria and in cooperation with the health clinics, municipal welfare departments and local aid organizations.
Volunteers: The project is carried out by Latet volunteers who maintain direct and ongoing relations with the patients and their families. The volunteers undergo professional training and are accompanied by a professional team.
Help with medication: Once a month, the patients are given coupons to be used toward the acquisition of medication. If necessary, those of restricted mobility will receive assistance in the acquisition of medication in the form of a volunteer who will help them get to the pharmacy or who will purchase the medication for them.
Help with information: Information on rights and the possibilities of receiving aid in various areas is provided by the volunteers and in written form.
Project Giving Health – In memory of Adv. Jonathan Bach, among the founders of Latet and a member of its Administrative Board. Jonathan supported and contributed a great deal until his untimely death at the young age of 45. For him, giving was a way of life. Jonathan, in his character and perception of life, symbolized the humanitarian values that the Organization strives to achieve. LATET Health in memory of Adv. Jonathan Bach is continuing in his footsteps and it expresses our love to him.
Latet for Passover 2010
