SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, extended his commendation for the significant stride in healthcare advancement in Catanauan, Quezon, as it successfully inaugurated the town’s Super Health Center on Saturday, August 3.
Senator Go highlighted the critical role of Super Health Centers in bridging the gap between the government and its citizens.
He likewise underscored the importance of these centers in early disease detection and the alleviation of overcrowded hospitals, thus contributing to more timely and effective healthcare services for its constituents.
“Ilapit po natin ang serbisyong nararapat para sa kanila. Huwag po natin silang pahirapan. Marami po sa mga kababayan natin sa iba’t ibang sulok ng Pilipinas na wala silang sariling health center. Kaya importante na mailapit natin ang serbisyong medikal mula gobyerno sa mga taong nangangailangan nito,” he stressed.
The inauguration was attended by Congressman Reynan Arogancia, Governor Dra. Helen Tan, Vice Governor Third Alcala, Mayor Ramon Orfanel, and Vice Mayor Manuel Montano, among others. Go’s Malasakit Team provided food packs to health workers present.
Super Health Centers are improved versions of polyclinics that offer basic health services, including database management, outpatient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and 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.
Through the collective efforts of the Department of Health (DOH), led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa Jr., local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated under the DOH for the construction of more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide.
As the lead implementing agency, DOH identifies the strategic areas where these Super Health Centers will be established, including 18 in the province.
Meanwhile, Go has also been pushing for legislative reforms to enhance the country’s healthcare system. In line with this, he has proposed Senate Bill No. 195, which seeks the establishment of a Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the country. The proposed bill aims to create a centralized hub dedicated to the prevention, surveillance, and control of both infectious and non-communicable diseases, a move that could significantly bolster the nation’s healthcare system.
Further cementing his commitment to healthcare advancement, Senator Go has also filed SBN 196. This bill proposes the creation of a Virology Science and Technology Institute in the Philippines. The institute is envisioned to be at the forefront of the country’s efforts to study, detect, and respond to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. The establishment of such an institute is expected to greatly enhance the Philippines’ capacity in dealing with current and future virological threats.
Being an adopted son of CALABARZON region, Go also encouraged the public to seek the services offered in the Malasakit Center located at Quezon Medical Center in Lucena City or the Maria L. Eleazar General Hospital in Tagkawayan should they need help settling their hospital bills.
“Sa mga pasyente dito, hindi niyo na po kailangang bumiyahe para pumila sa iba’t ibang opisina para makahingi ng tulong mula sa gobyerno. Kung may hospital bill kayo, ilapit niyo lang ‘to sa Malasakit Center. Wala itong pinipili. Basta poor at indigent patient ka, qualified ka,” assured Go, who principally authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
“Hindi niyo na kailangang mahirapan dahil sa totoo lang, pera niyo naman ‘yan. Binabalik lang ito sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng mabilis at maayos na serbisyo mula sa Malasakit Centers,” he added.
Currently, there are 166 centers that have helped around ten million Filipinos, according to the DOH.
“Ilapit natin ang serbisyong medikal sa ating mga kababayan. 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,” underscored Go, who is widely recognized as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
