Bong Go highlights over 700 Super Health Centers funded nationwide as he lauds the groundbreaking of one in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay

Bong Go highlights over 700 Super Health Centers funded nationwide as he lauds the groundbreaking of one in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his hopes that more Filipinos in Zamboanga Sibugay will be able to access basic health services as local officials held a Super Health Center groundbreaking in Payao town on Friday, January 19, which was attended by Mayor Joshua Carlo Mendoza.

In his video message, Go, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, highlighted that the said groundbreaking showed the government’s efforts to bring its health services closer to Filipinos, especially to those in far-flung communities.

“Andito po ngayon ang aking Malasakit Team upang masaksihan ang groundbreaking ng inyong Super Health Center. Ang Super Health Center ay isa sa mga paraan ng gobyerno na ilapit ang serbisyong medikal sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino,” shared Go.

“Pangalagaan natin ang ating kalusugan dahil katumbas nito ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Magkakaroon po ng mahigit 700 na Super Health Center po sa buong Pilipinas para ilapit ang pangunahing serbisyong medikal sa lahat,” he cited.

According to Go, the primary goal of setting up these Super Health Centers is to decongest hospitals, facilitate early disease detection, and provide essential healthcare services such as primary care and medical consultations.

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.

Through the collective efforts of Go, the Department of Health (DOH), led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, Jr., local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. There will also be 132 Super Health Centers funded in 2024. In the province, seven such centers were funded.

DOH is the leading implementing agency that identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed.

Go’s commitment to enhancing healthcare in the country goes beyond just setting up Super Health Centers. He also actively monitors the implementation of the Malasakit Centers program. Institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored, the Malasakit Centers program serves as a one-stop shop for Filipinos seeking medical-related support and aims to streamline access to medical assistance programs offered by concerned government agencies.

There are currently 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide, including the one at Dr. George T. Hofer Medical Center in Ipil. According to the DOH, the program has already assisted around ten million poor Filipinos.

“Hindi niyo na kailangang pumila o umikot pa sa iba’t ibang opisina para humingi ng tulong pampagamot. Nasa isang kwarto sa loob ng hospital na po. Lapitan niyo lang, para sa inyo ‘yan. Ang Malasakit Center ay para sa mga poor at indigent patients,” explained Go.

Another significant legislative accomplishment of Senator Go is the RA 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and was one of the authors in the Senate.

The Act facilitates the establishment of specialty medical centers in different regions, ensuring that advanced medical care is not confined to major urban centers. This initiative aims to decentralize healthcare services, allowing patients from various regions to receive specialized treatments closer to home.

Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance supported several projects in the province, including the construction of multipurpose buildings in Alicia, Buug, Imelda, Ipil and Talusan; construction or improvement of roads in Buug, Diplahan, Imelda, Ipil, Naga and Olutanga; and the construction of street lights in Payao and Titay, among others.

 

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