BONG GO SUPPORTS SUCCESSFUL MEDICAL MISSION IN DIGOS CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR: A TESTAMENT TO COMPASSIONATE SERVICE AND HEALTHCARE ADVOCACY

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go supported the successful Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) Medical Mission at the Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital in Digos City, Davao del Sur, on Saturday, June 22.

This initiative, conducted in partnership with the Philippine Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Inc. (PATCSI), aimed to provide essential surgical procedures to those who cannot afford them.

As the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Senator Go expressed his gratitude to the organizers and healthcare professionals involved in the mission. “This medical mission is a beacon of hope for our less fortunate countrymen who need specialized treatments but lack the means. I am deeply thankful to PATCSI and the dedicated doctors who have committed their time and expertise to save lives,” Go stated.

Go then commended the doctors for their unwavering dedication and the years of hard work that have equipped them to perform life-saving procedures. “I hold the utmost respect for our doctors. Their determination and commitment to their profession are truly inspiring,” he remarked. He likewise gave them some tokens of appreciation.

The senator’s Malasakit Team represented him and delivered grocery packs, fare assistance, sling bags, shirts, and basketballs and volleyballs to 24 patients.

Meanwhile, Mark Angelo Diantan, one of the beneficiaries of the medical mission, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Senator Go for supporting his treatment.

“May kidney failure po ako at isang dialysis patient. Nagpapasalamat po ako kay Senator Bong Go sa kanyang tulong sa amin at naka survive po kami nitong dialysis dahil sa kanya. Nagpapasalamat din po ako nitong medical mission dahil po sa kanya, ma o-operahan po ako,” Diantan expressed.

Further emphasizing his commitment to accessible healthcare, Senator Go highlighted the significance of Republic Act 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act.

“As a principal sponsor and one of the authors of this law, I believe that specialized medical care should be available to every Filipino, regardless of their location. Ang batas na ito ay naglalayong magtayo ng specialty centers sa lahat ng rehiyon, upang masiguro na ang advanced medical services ay maaabot ng lahat,” Go explained.

Known as Mr. Malasakit, Senator Go also encouraged patients to utilize the services of the 165 Malasakit Centers nationwide, including one inside the Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital in the city.

Go was the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, a landmark legislation aimed at reducing the financial burden on patients in need. According to the Department of Health, the program has successfully assisted more or less ten million Filipinos.

Senator Go reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that provide essential medical services to those in need. “Healthcare is a fundamental right. Kaya bilang bisyo ko ay magserbisyo, patuloy kong susuportahan ang mga pagsusumikap na masiguro na ang bawat Pilipino ay may access sa serbisyong medikal,” he concluded.