Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, emphasized the accessibility of medical assistance programs through Malasakit Centers, as his team undertook relief operations for indigents in Cabiano and General Mamerto Natividad, Nueva Ecija on Tuesday, July 25.
In a video message, Go reiterated the continuing operations of 158 Malasakit Centers nationwide. These centers, including the ones at Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Hospital and Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center in Cabanatuan City, and at Talavera General Hospital, were established with the aim of bringing together different government agencies with available medical assistance programs under one roof.
This way, indigent patients who need help, no longer have to spend days visiting multiple offices to avail of assistance.
“It all started in Cebu. We tried to put four government agencies — PCSO, DOH, DSWD, and PhilHealth — in one office so that our poor and indigent patients in need won’t have to waste precious time seeking help,” explained Go, the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
Beyond the Malasakit Centers, Go is also supporting the construction of Super Health Centers (SHCs) in various locations, including Cabanatuan City, San Leonardo, Aliga, Bongabon, Llanera, Science City of Muñoz, Zaragoza, Sto. Domingo, and Rizal.
These SHCs are strategically located to ensure that basic health services are easily accessible to more Filipinos. The centers offer a wide range of services, including database management, outpatient care, birthing facilities, isolation units, and diagnostic services such as laboratory tests, x-rays, and ultrasounds. Additionally, they provide pharmacy services, ambulatory surgical units, and specialized care, such as eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) services, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine for remote diagnosis and treatment.
“Patuloy po akong tutulong sa pagpaparami ng Super Health Centers sa bansa sa abot po ng aking makakaya. Sa mga itinayo ng 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,” underscored Go.
During the relief activity held at Simeon Cruz Hall in Gen. Mamerto Natividad and Poblacion covered court in Cabiao, Go’s team, along with the local officials of their respective municipalities, distributed masks, shirts, shoes, and vitamins to a total of 277 indigents. The team also gave away shoes and balls for basketball and volleyball to select recipients.
Separately, the Department of Social Welfare and Development also provided financial assistance to the qualified beneficiaries.
Senator Go, as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance and as an adopted son of Nueva Ecija, remains dedicated to bolstering the province’s economic sector. He has been actively supporting various projects, such as road rehabilitation in Cabiao, General Tinio, Pantabangan, Zaragoza, and Cabanatuan City, the construction of flood mitigation structures in General Tinio, San Antonio, and Zaragoza, the construction of multipurpose buildings in Gabaldon, Sta. Rosa, and Cabanatuan City, the reconstruction of the Llanera public market, and the rehabilitation of the Baloc public market. Furthermore, he has been instrumental in the installation of streetlights in Zaragoza.
Go’s team also provided assistance to disadvantaged residents in the Science City of Muñoz last July 21.
