Senator Christopher “Bong” Go highlighted his goal of pursuing measures to improve the country’s health sector and to make the government’s health services more accessible and affordable, especially for the poor.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported the funding for the creation of Super Health Centers nationwide, especially in far-flung communities. These have been allocated in the 2022 Health Facilities Enhancement Program to construct 307 such centers this year.

“Ito pong tinatawag na Super Health Center, mas malaki lang po siya sa rural health unit, mas maliit sa hospital. Halimbawa emergency cases, kasama ang panganganak, magagamot po kaagad at hindi niyo na kailangan bumyahe pa sa mga ospital sa siyudad kung magkakaroon na ng SHC malapit sa inyong lugar,” Go explained.

Super Health Centers are improved versions of rural health units. It offers health services including database management, out-patient, 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 center; and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.

“Sa tulong ng mga Super Health Centers, mas mapapalapit tayo sa ating layunin ng mas malusog at matatag na mga komunidad kahit saan mang sulok ng ating bansa,” Go highlighted.

In Bulacan, Go committed to support the construction of Super Health Centers in Balagtas, Bulakan, San Jose del Monte City, Meycauayan City, Pandi, San Miguel, and Guiguinto.

Meanwhile, Go’s team provided assistance to struggling Bulakeños in Malolos City on Friday, October 28. They conducted the relief operation for 278 residents at the KB Gymnasium where they handed out snacks, shirts and masks and provided others with shoes and cellular phones. Meanwhile, as a staunch advocate for sports development, Go likewise gave away balls for basketball to select individuals.

“Ang advocacy ko po ay health and sports. Para po sa ating mga kabataan, get into sports and stay away from drugs. Huwag po natin sayangin ang nasimulan ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na kampanya laban sa iligal na droga,” urged Go in his video message.

As part of the government’s efforts to support more struggling Filipinos, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also distributed financial aid through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

Go likewise acknowledged the challenges faced by financially incapacitated Filipinos to get quality healthcare as he advised them to seek the services of the Malasakit Centers at Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City and Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria.

“Ang Malasakit Center po ay batas na, isinulong ko noon, pinirmahan ni dating pangulong Duterte. Para po ‘yan sa mga poor and indigent patients. Lapitan n’yo lang po ang Malasakit Center, handa pong tumulong ‘yan sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Meron na po tayong 152 Malasakit Centers sa buong bansa,” said Go, who is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act.

Go has likewise supported several initiatives to promote economic recovery in the province amid the ongoing health crisis, including the rehabilitation of the Bulacan State University Activity Center and construction of a multipurpose building in Malolos City, construction of drainages, provision of medical equipment for local hospitals, improvement of the Pandi District Hospital, concreting of a farm-to-market road in San Ildefonso and many more.

Go concluded his message by lauding all local government officials who continue to cater to the needs of their constituents, especially during these challenging times.

“Salamat po sa inyong sakripisyo sa panahon ngayon. Magtulungan lang po tayo. Huwag n’yo pong pabayaan ‘yung ating mga kababayang mahihirap po,” he ended.

Last October 25, Go’s team provided similar assistance to indigents in the city of San Jose del Monte.