IMPROVING HEALTHCARE ACCESS AT THE COMMUNITY-LEVEL: BONG GO INSPECTS SUPER HEALTH CENTER AND AIDS VULNERABLE SECTORS IN BAGANGA, DAVAO ORIENTAL

AS a staunch advocate for health, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go visited Baganga, Davao Oriental, to inspect the town’s Super Health Center on Friday, August 30. This initiative is part of his broader commitment as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, to bolster health infrastructure to provide more accessible and efficient healthcare services to Filipinos, particularly in underserved areas.

During the inspection, Go expressed his appreciation to the local government of Baganga for prioritizing health services and collaborating with the national government to ensure that residents have access to quality healthcare close to their homes.

In his remarks, Senator Go emphasized the critical role of health infrastructure in national development, highlighting that investments in such projects are essential to ensuring that every Filipino, regardless of their economic status or location, can receive timely medical attention.

“Ang Super Health Center ay isang mahalagang puhunan sa kalusugan ng ating komunidad. Hindi lamang ito isang gusali — ito ay isang tulay ng pag-asa na magdadala ng pangunahing serbisyong medikal sa ating mga kababayan. Nais natin na magkaroon ng access sa serbisyong pangkalusugan, mula sa konsultasyon at diagnostic hanggang sa panganganak at pangangailangan ng agarang lunas, nang hindi na kailangang bumyahe pa nang malayo,” Go stated.

Go further elaborated that Super Health Centers serve as medium-sized polyclinics designed to decongest hospitals by offering primary healthcare services in one location. These centers are equipped with facilities for outpatient care, birthing, diagnostics, laboratory tests, x-rays, and minor surgical procedures. They also include specialized services such as eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) care, physical therapy, oncology, and telemedicine, allowing patients to receive diagnoses and treatments remotely.

“Ang bawat Super Health Center ay dinisenyo upang tugunan ang pangunahing pangangailangan sa kalusugan, kabilang na ang primary care, medical consultations at early disease detection, upang mabawasan ang pagsisiksikan sa ospital, at mailapit ang serbisyo medikal sa mga taong nangangailangan nito,” Go explained.

Following the inspection, Senator Go led a relief operation at the Brgy. Salingcomot Covered Court, where he coordinated with Councilor Roy Nazareno to provide aid to 1,750 residents, composed of laborers, carpenters, and fishermen. Congressman Nelson Boy Dayanghirang and Vice Governor Nelson Dayanghirang Jr., among officials also joined the activities.

Through their collaborative efforts, the beneficiaries received financial assistance from the government. For his part, Go likewise gave away grocery packs, vitamins, masks, and snacks. There were also select recipients of bicycles, sling bags, mobile phones, shoes, basketballs, and volleyballs, reflecting Go’s advocacy for promoting health and fitness among the youth as Chairperson of both the Senate Sports and Youth Committees.

“Mga kababayan, bukas po ang aking opisina sa inyong lahat. Huwag po kayong mahiya, ituring ninyo akong inyong kapitbahay. Kasama po ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Baganga, kami ay nandito para maglingkod sa inyo. Maraming salamat po sa inyong suporta at sa pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo,” Go expressed.

Senator Go urged the residents to take advantage of the medical assistance available for indigent patients offered by the Malasakit Center at Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati City.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop designed to streamline medical assistance programs from various government agencies, ensuring that Filipinos can access medical assistance to overcome the financial burden of healthcare costs.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. The Department of Health reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more or less ten million Filipinos.

“Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, anumang pagsubok ang ating haharapin sa susunod na mga araw, patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” Go said.

In his capacity as Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go also supported various infrastructure projects in Baganga to ensure continued progress amid the challenges faced by the community. These projects include the construction and rehabilitation of roads in several barangays, and the acquisition of an ambulance.

Before the inspection, Go also spearheaded another relief operation for more indigents in Baganga, in partnership with Mayor Lara. He also visited Cateel to offer further support to the poor, inspected a Super Health Center in Barangay Poblacion and participated in the turnover ceremony of another center in Barangay Alegria.

“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” Mr. Malasakit concluded.