Bring primary healthcare closer to the people — Bong Go lauds groundbreaking of Super Health Center in Initao, Misamis Oriental

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, congratulated the local government of Initao, Misamis Oriental, as well as the Department of Health (DOH), for the successful groundbreaking ceremony of the town’s Super Health Center on Tuesday, October 10.

Advocated for by Go, the Super Health Centers aim to provide primary healthcare, medical consultations, and early disease detection, thereby enhancing the healthcare infrastructure in the grassroots, particularly in rural areas.

Go, who is actively pushing for the creation of more such facilities in key locations nationwide as identified by DOH, said the centers will help alleviate overcrowding in hospitals.

In a video message, Go conveyed his optimism that the newly initiated health center would make accessible primary healthcare services to the people of Initao.

“Patuloy po akong tutulong sa pagpaparami ng Super Health Centers sa bansa sa abot po ng aking makakaya. Sa mga itinayo nang Super Health Centers, nakita namin kung gaano kalaki ang naitutulong nito sa komunidad lalo na sa rural areas,” said Go.

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

Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed.

The Super Health Center is an enhanced version of a rural health unit, offering basic 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, which enables remote diagnosis and treatment of patients.

In Misamis Oriental, necessary funds were allocated to construct Super Health Centers in Gingoog City, Binuangan, Libertad, Balingasag, Claveria, Initao, and Tagoloan. There will also be six other Super Health Centers in Cagayan de Oro City.

During the event, Go’s team also distributed various items to the attendees, including t-shirts and balls for basketball and volleyball. In addition, 50 food packs were distributed to select beneficiaries as part of Go’s efforts to help indigents.

The senator then took the opportunity to acknowledge several key individuals and agencies that have been instrumental in the project, including Congressman Yevgeny Emano, Governor Peter Unabia, Mayor Mercy Grace Acain, and Vice Mayor Enerito Acain, among others.

Meanwhile, Go highlighted the presence of Malasakit Centers at Northern Mindanao Medical Center and J.R. Borja General Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City, which are open to assist indigent patients.

The Malasakit Center is designed to provide Filipinos with convenient access to medical assistance programs offered by DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

There are currently 159 operational centers in the country, which have assisted over seven million Filipinos, according to DOH. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the flood control projects in Magsaysay, Medina and Gingoog City; construction of multipurpose buildings in Initao, Magsaysay and Gingoog City; rehabilitation of local roads in Balingasag, Initao, Lagonglong, Laguindingan, Libertad, Lugait, Magsaysay, Manticao and El Salvador City; and construction of water systems in Balingasag and Jasaan.

He was also instrumental in the construction of drainage system and flood control structures along Iponan River, acquisition of several ambulance units and fire and dump trucks, and the construction of a three-story multipurpose building in Barangay 33 in Cagayan de Oro City.