SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has been actively promoting the development of Super Health Centers across the country as part of his effort to boost healthcare accessibility especially in the grassroots.
On Wednesday, April 10, Senator Go visited three key sites in Bataan, underlining his commitment to improving primary medical services for Filipinos, particularly those in remote areas.
During his visit to Bataan, Go inspected the Super Health Center in Hermosa, participated in the blessing and turnover ceremony in Samal, and attended the groundbreaking ceremony in Limay. He also helped displaced workers in all mentioned towns. Separately, Go was declared an adopted son of all three towns for his continuing service to their communities.
“Ang Super Health Center po is a medium type of a polyclinic. Pwede po diyan ‘yung dental, laboratory, x-ray. Diyan na po ‘yung primary care ng Universal Health Care, diyan na po yung Konsulta ng PhilHealth at madi-decongest ang mga hospital. Ang ganda po ng inyong Super Health Center sa Mariveles, may dialysis machine pa dinagdagan ni Mayor (Ace Jello Concepcion). Ang inyong Super Health Center dito po sa Hermosa maganda, malapit nang matapos. Kanina sa Samal tapos na, maayos (at) may waiting area pa, hi-tech ‘yung x-ray nila,” Go shared in a speech during his visit to Hermosa.
Senator Go emphasized that these centers are pivotal in alleviating the burden on hospitals, enhancing early disease detection, and ensuring the availability of essential health services such as primary care and medical consultations at the community level.
This initiative of Go, supported by the collective efforts of the Department of Health, headed by Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, local government units, and fellow legislators, has secured adequate funding for more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, with eight located in the province of Bataan.
These centers are designed to offer a wide range of basic health services, 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 centers; and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible.
“Isinulong po natin at ipinaglaban na magkaroon ng Super Health Center dito sa inyo dahil alam ko po kung gaano ninyo kailangan na mapalapit sa inyo ang serbisyong medikal ng gobyerno. Naiintindihan ko po na napakalayo ng lugar ninyo sa sentro kaya naman kami na po gumawa ng paraan para hindi na kayo lumayo pa para magpagamot,” said Go.
“Simula nang pumutok ang pandemya, nagulat po talaga ang ating healthcare system. Hindi tayo naging handa at nahirapan tayo. Kaya naman itong mga Super Health Centers ay isang paraan para mapagaan natin ang trabaho ng ating mga ospital at mapalapit ang serbisyong pangkalusugan sa mga komunidad,” he noted.
Go also emphasized the importance of residents prioritizing their health and well-being. He then advised them to avail themselves of the services provided by the Malasakit Centers at Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center in Balanga City and Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital in Mariveles.
The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 was principally sponsored and authored by Go. Under the Act, all hospitals managed by the DOH and the Philippine General Hospital in Manila are mandated to open their own Malasakit Center. Hospitals run by local government units and other public hospitals may also establish their center provided they meet a standard set of criteria and guarantee the sustainability of their operations.
Currently, 161 Malasakit Centers nationwide have already helped ten million indigents, according to the Department of Health.
Furthermore, recognizing the need for specialized care, Go is the principal sponsor and one of the authors of RA 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act. These facilities will focus on providing advanced medical care for specific conditions, thereby enhancing the capacity to offer specialized treatment and cater to the complex health needs of the population in all regions.
A specialty center caters to mental health at Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital. The Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center plans to have geriatric care.
Go also expressed support to House Bill No. 8426 filed by Congressman Garcia and is currently being tackled in the Senate Health Committee, which seeks to upgrade the BGHMC to a multi-specialty apex hospital.
“Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil bisyo ko po ang magserbisyo sa inyo. Naniniwala rin po ako na ang serbisyo sa tao, serbisyo ‘yan sa Diyos,” Go affirmed.
