Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, and an adopted son of Pangasinan, conducted a site inspection on Thursday, August 10 at the new Super Health Center being constructed in Alaminos City.
Go has been advocating for the establishment of Super Health Centers nationwide to bring medical services closer to communities. He underscored the critical role these Super Health Centers play in promoting early detection, primary care, and free medical consultations for residents especially in the grassroots.
The primary objective of Super Health Centers (SHCs), as highlighted by Go, is to bolster the nation’s healthcare capabilities by ensuring that communities have access to comprehensive and integrated healthcare services.
“Ang Super Health Center po is a medium type of a polyclinic. Pwede po diyan ang dental, laboratory, x-ray, at iba pang serbisyo medikal at pwede po itong i-expand ni Mayor (Celeste).
‘Yung kay Mayor (Celeste) po dito sa Alaminos (City), napakaganda po dahil sa tabi ng kanyang Super Health Center (dahil) may dialysis center po. Isa po ito sa paraan na ilapit natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan,” said Go in an interview after the event.
He added, early detection of illnesses and diseases is a cornerstone of these centers, allowing medical professionals to identify health issues at their early stages, significantly improving the chances of successful treatment and recovery.
Go also emphasized the importance of primary care and consultations in preventing the escalation of health concerns. “Ang mga buntis pwede na pong manganak hindi na kailangang magbiyahe pa ng regional hospital. At malaking bagay po itong Super Health Center dahil early detection po, primary care. Kapag early detection, dito na tayo magpa-konsulta para hindi lumala ang sakit. At kung early detection makapagkonsulta kaagad tayo hindi na kailangang dalahin sa ospital. It will help decongest the hospitals po. Iyan po ang layunin ng Super Health Center,” he said.
The Alaminos SHC offers database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation center; and telemedicine, through which remote diagnosis and treatment of patients are made possible.
Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, budget was allocated for the construction of some 307 SHCs across the country in 2022 and another 322 in 2023. The Department of Health (DOH), as the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic locations where such centers shall be established.
Under the 2022 health budget, SHCs were funded for Pangasinan in Alaminos City, Balungao, Basista, Manaoag, Mapandan, Tayug, Pozorrubio, Asingan, and Umingan. Meanwhile, more SHCs under the 2023 budget will be constructed in Agno, Alcala, Bani, Calasiao, Malasiqui, San Fabian, San Quintin, San Manuel, Sison, and Urbiztondo.
Go was welcomed by local officials, including Congressman Arthur Celeste, Vice Governor Mark Lambino and Mayor Arth Bryan C. Celeste, among other officials, as he visited the city.
“Sa ngalan po ng buong lalawigan ng Pangasinan, kasama po si Governor Ramon Guico III, welcome po muli sa lalawigan ng Pangasinan, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go — ang tao na bago pa man naging senador ay tuluy-tuloy na po ang serbisyo sa ating bansa,” Lambino said.
On the same visit, Go and his team provided essential aid to 2,000 residents facing challenges by distributing grocery packs, vitamins, masks, shirts, and snacks. The senator also gave shoes, bicycles, cellular phones, watches, as well as balls for basketball and volleyball to select recipients.
Furthermore, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) personnel extended financial assistance to the town’s struggling residents through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
Go then emphasized the significance of increasing investments in healthcare infrastructure and services. He urged the people of Pangasinan to make use of the medical assistance programs available at the Malasakit Center in Region 1 Medical Center, located in Dagupan City.
The senator’s dedication to enhancing healthcare accessibility reflects his commitment to providing essential medical care for poor and indigent Filipinos. This commitment drove him to champion the passage of Republic Act No. 11463, commonly referred to as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, a law he principally sponsored and authored.
“Sa ngayon naman po ay patuloy po ang pagseserbisyo, pagtutulong po ng Malasakit Center. Ang Malasakit Center naman po is a one stop shop, nasa loob na po ng ospital ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno – PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH, DSW
“Sa ngayon naman po ay patuloy po ang pagseserbisyo, pagtutulong po ng Malasakit Center. Ang Malasakit Center naman po is a one stop shop, nasa loob na po ng ospital ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno – PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH, DSWD. Batas na po ‘yan na isinulong ko noon, pinirmahan ni dating pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Halimbawa dito sa inyo sa Region 1 Medical Center, mayroon kayong Malasakit Center na pwede pong lapitan ng mga poor and indigent patients. Para po ‘yan sa Pilipino,” said Go.
To date, there are 158 Malasakit Centers nationwide which have already served over seven million Filipinos according to DOH.
