Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, emphasized the significance of investing in health infrastructure, particularly the establishment of Super Health Centers nationwide to bring basic medical services from the government closer to communities.
In his video message during the groundbreaking ceremony of Zamboanga City Super Health Center in Barangay Manicahan on Friday, June 30, Senator Go highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach that focuses on bolstering the nation’s healthcare system. Through such efforts, the country can better address healthcare challenges and ensure the well-being of its citizens especially in the grassroots.
“The more we should invest sa ating health care. The more na laanan natin ng pondo dahil hindi po natin alam kung ito na ba ang pinakahuling pandemya na darating sa ating buhay. Huwag na po sanang dumating. Sana po’y bumalik na tayo sa normal nating pamumuhay,” Go cited.
Senator Go pointed out that Super Health Centers serve as hubs for basic healthcare delivery, providing a wide range of medical services to communities.
Super Health Centers offer 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, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.
Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the Department of Helath for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023.
The senator emphasized that these Super Health Centers would cater to the needs of underserved areas, especially those lacking adequate healthcare infrastructure.
By ensuring that every citizen has access to quality healthcare services, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status, the government can take significant strides towards achieving universal healthcare coverage, Go expressed.
“Ngayon tatayuan na kayo ng inyong Super Health Center. Pwede diyan ang dental, laboratory, x-ray, at birthing, panganganak. Ang mga buntis pwede nang manganak diyan. Iyan ang Super Health Center,” the senator said.
“Iyan ang pamamaraan na ilapit natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan. Iyan ang Super Health Center,” he highlighted.
In line with his priority of protecting the well-being of Filipinos, Go then offered to help any resident who may need medical attention. He encouraged them to visit the Malasakit Centers at the Zamboanga City Medical Center, Mindanao Central Sanitarium, and Labuan General Hospital.
The Malasakit Centers program has successfully established 158 centers so far and helped more than seven million Filipinos nationwide. It brings together relevant agencies, including DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, to help reduce a patient’s hospital expenses to the lowest possible amount.
He also continues to take significant steps in his commitment to improving healthcare accessibility for Filipinos by principally sponsoring Senate Bill No. 2212, otherwise known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The bill was passed before the session break and is now awaiting the approval of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
If the measure is enacted, in Mindanao, specialty centers will be established at Zamboanga City Medical Center, Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City, Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center in Ozamis City, Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City, Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City, Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato City, Caraga Regional Hospital Surigao City, Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center in Tandag City, and Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City.