Bong Go commends PBBM’s commitment to expand Super Health Centers nationwide
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his pledge to increase the number of Super Health Centers nationwide.
In a statement, Go emphasized the critical role these centers will play in enhancing the availability of essential medical services especially in geographically and economically challenged communities.
Reflecting on the President’s remarks during the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), Go reiterated the need to bring government services closer to the people especially when it comes to primary healthcare.
“Una sa lahat, bilang chair ng Senate Health Committee, nais kong pasalamatan si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa kanyang pangako na dadagdagan pa ang mga Super Health Centers sa buong bansa sa mga susunod na taon. Isa ito sa matagal na nating ipinaglalaban na mapondohan para mailapit ang pangunahing serbisyo medikal sa mga mahihirap at mga naninirahan sa mga liblib at malalayong lugar,” he said.
The initiative for Super Health Centers was initially pushed by Go as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health during the 2021 budget deliberations, a year prior to the Marcos administration.
This early advocacy laid the groundwork for the rollout of these centers, which are now being significantly expanded under the current government.
Super Health Centers are designed to focus on primary care, consultation, and early detection, further strengthening the healthcare sector in the country, especially in grassroots communities. Free consultations would be handled by municipal health offices, local government units, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation through its Konsulta program.
President Marcos Jr., during his SONA, highlighted the partnership with local government units (LGUs) in establishing these Super Health Centers, which are crucial for staffing them with adequate doctors and nurses.
“Katuwang din natin ang lokal na pamahalaan sa mga tinatayo nating mga Super Health Centers. Sa tulong ng mga LGUs, malalagyan natin ng sapat na mga doktor at nars ang mga ito, at madadagdagan pa natin sa mga susunod na taon,” said the President.
“Layunin natin na sa lalong madaling panahon, lahat ng lalawigan natin ay may sapat na mga center o pasilidad na may kakayahang makapagbigay ng pangunahing serbisyong-medikal para sa ating mga mamamayan,” Pres. Marcos added.
In addition to improving healthcare infrastructure, Go expressed support for the planned enhancements to healthcare services.
“Kasama na riyan ang pagpaparami ng health facilities, pagpapalakas ng medical assistance programs na nasa loob ng Malasakit Centers na ating itinaguyod, pagpapataas ng benepisyo ng PhilHealth, at ang tamang implementasyon ng Regional Specialty Centers Act na ating pangunahing inisponsor at isa tayo sa nag-akda sa Senado. Tandaan natin na ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino!,” Go said.
Moreover, the President mentioned improved PhilHealth coverage, significantly increasing the benefits for patients suffering from serious health conditions. Among others, benefits for breast cancer have been increased, providing substantial financial assistance to patients undergoing treatment. Benefits for colon cancer patients have also been strengthened, and by the end of the year, chemotherapy treatments for lung, liver, ovarian, and prostate cancers will also be included in PhilHealth’s coverage.
In response, Go shared that he supports such initiatives to improve access to public health saying: “Suportado rin po natin ang pagtaas sa coverage at benefits ng PhilHealth. Pwede naman pala madagdagan ang mga programs ng PhilHealth, kung tutuusin, para mas mabawasan ang bigat na dala na mahihirap na pasyente.”
Go further urged the administration to give priority to policies and programs that will directly benefit and uplift the lives of the poor, the helpless, and the hopeless who need government attention the most.
“Nananawagan po ako sa Ehekutibo na tiyaking prayoridad ang pagtulong sa mga mahihirap. Ang importante po: walang maiiwan, walang magugutom na Pilipino,” he ended.
