BONG GO ADVOCATES FOR IMPROVED HEALTHCARE SERVICES DURING THE GROUNDBREAKING OF THE SUPER HEALTH CENTER IN MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL

SENATOR Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Barangay Dawan, Mati City, in Davao Oriental on Friday, January 26. These centers aim to improve the availability of primary healthcare services at the grassroots level.

In his speech, Go reiterated his commitment to support the establishment of more Super Health Centers across the country, considering how they can significantly help reduce hospital occupancy rates while bringing government medical services closer to the grassroots.

“It is a significant step towards enhanced healthcare services. ‘Yun po ang layunin ng mga Super Health Centers, ang ilapit sa mamamayan ang serbisyong medikal ng gobyerno,” he said.

Super Health Centers focus on primary care, consultation, and early disease detection, further strengthening the healthcare sector in the country, especially in grassroots communities. Free consultations would be handled by municipal health offices, local government units, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation through its Konsulta program.

“Patuloy po akong tutulong sa pagpaparami ng Super Health Centers sa bansa sa abot po ng aking makakaya,” said Go.

“Sa mga itinayo na Super Health Centers, nakita namin kung gaano kalaki ang naitutulong nito sa komunidad lalo na sa rural areas. ‘Yun po ang layunin ng mga Super Health Centers, ang ilapit sa mamamayan ang serbisyong medikal ng gobyerno,” he added.

Go then expressed gratitude to the local officials in his message, including Board Member Popong Uy representing Governor Niño Sotero Uy, Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat, Cateel Mayor Emilou Nuñez, San Isidro Mayor Angel Go, Lupon Vice Mayor Sonny Alonzo, among others.

The Super Health Center is an enhanced version of a rural health unit, offering basic essential health services such as database management, outpatient care, birthing facilities, isolation areas, diagnostic services (including laboratory tests, X-rays, and ultrasounds), pharmacy services, and ambulatory surgical units.

Additionally, these centers provide services such as eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) care, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine, enabling remote patient diagnosis and treatment.

Through the collective efforts of the Department Of Health (DOH) led by Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, local government units (LGUs), and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated under the DOH for the construction of 307 Super Health Centers in 2022, 322 in 2023, and 132 in 2024.

As the lead implementing agency, DOH identifies the strategic areas where these Super Health Centers will be established. In Davao Oriental, a total of 14 Super Health Centers are funded.

Go then urged the public to utilize medical and financial assistance from the Malasakit Center in Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center.

Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.

Go principally authored and sponsored the Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.

Currently, 159 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The DOH reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to around ten million Filipinos.

“Sa mga pasyente, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para ‘to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito,” said Go.

Finally, Go also principally sponsored and is one of the authors of the Republic Act No. 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which was signed into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. on August 24. The law mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.

Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance has been a staunch supporter of various initiatives in the province. These include the rehabilitation of roads in Banaybanay, Baganga, Boston, Caraga, Lupon, Manay, and San Isidro; the construction of multipurpose buildings in Banaybanay and Caraga; street lighting project in Banaybanay; construction of potable water systems in Baganga and Manay; and construction of flood mitigation structures in Caraga, Cateel, Lupon, Manay, San Isidro; and procurement of multipurpose vehicles in Lupon.

In Mati City, Go supported the construction of several roads, the construction of the Davao Oriental Sports Complex, the rehabilitation of Buso Hot Spring Park, and the construction of a Public Park/Eco-Tourism Park.

During his visit, Go also attended the ceremonial turnover of a fire truck for Cateel and the actual turnover of a firetruck for Lupon, initiatives he supported through the efforts of the Bureau of Fire Protection.