SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, the chairperson of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, personally attended the groundbreaking ceremony of a new Super Health Center in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS) Kaunlaran, Navotas City on Friday, January 12.
In his speech, the senator underscored that this event underscores the government’s commitment to bringing essential services closer to the Filipino people, particularly in areas where healthcare resources are scarce.
“Bilang chairman po ng Committee on Health kaya nga po tayo nandito para sa pagpapatayo ng mga Super Health Center, para ilapit natin yung serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan. And of course, pangalagaan na natin ang ating kalusugan dahil katumbas nito ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” said Go after the event.
“Magkakaroon po ng mahigit 700 na Super Health Center po sa buong Pilipinas kasama na po dito ang Navotas (City) at sa iba’t ibang parte ng Pilipinas,” he cited.
The Super Health Center initiative, according to Go who advocated for its establishment, is a pivotal part of the government’s strategy to enhance the country’s healthcare system. By establishing these centers, the government aims to decongest hospitals, which are often overwhelmed with patients.
These centers will serve as a first line of defense in the healthcare system, addressing basic health needs and facilitating early detection of diseases in the community level.
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 as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, the Department of Health, 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 Navotas City, two such centers were funded.
DOH is the leading implementing agency that identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed.
During the event, the senator also praised the collaborative efforts of Mayor John Rey Tiangco and Vice Mayor Tito Sanchez, DOH Assistant Regional Director Karen Hernandez, among others. His team also provided gift packs, meals, balls and other forms of aid to barangay health workers present.
Go’s dedication to improving the healthcare landscape in the country extends beyond the establishment of Super Health Centers as he continues to monitor the operations of the Malasakit Centers program and the establishment of more Regional Specialty Centers nationwide.
One of Go’s notable achievements is the Malasakit Centers program, institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463. This program, which was spearheaded by Senator Go, serves as a one-stop shop for Filipinos seeking medical-related assistance and aims to streamline access to medical assistance provided by concerned government agencies.
These centers significantly reduce the financial burden on patients and their families, making it easier for them to avail of services such as medical consultations, laboratory tests, and financial assistance for hospital bills, among others.
DOH reports that the centers have assisted approximately ten million Filipinos to date. At present, there are 159 Malasakit Centers in operation across the country, including the one in Navotas City Hospital.
“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, who is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
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.
Meanwhile, Go also supported several initiatives in the city that aim to enhance the delivery of public service. Among the projects are the construction of multipurpose buildings in various barangays, the construction of floodwall structures along Chungkang River and floodgates along Navotas Coastal Dike, and the improvement of drainage canals. He also helped secure funding for the acquisition of ambulance units, trucks, and multicabs.
The senator likewise extended support to the construction of new school buildings and facilities within various educational institutions in the city, including Navotas Polytechnic College, Kaunlaran High School, Daanghari Elementary School, North Bay Boulevard Elementary School, Navotas National High School, Tangos Elementary School, San Roque Elementary School, San Rafael Village Elementary School, Tanza Elementary School, and Dagat-Dagatan Elementary School, among others.
