Bong Go supports inauguration of 2 Super Health Centers in Kidapawan City
ON Wednesday, June 19, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s Malasakit Team visited Kidapawan City in North Cotabato to join the inauguration of new Super Health Centers in Brgy. Binoligan and Brgy. San Isidro.
The senator highlighted that he continues to support the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide, which aims to improve the healthcare system in the grassroots and bring primary care, consultations, and early disease detection closer to communities.
The Super Health Center is a “medium version” of a polyclinic yet an improved version of the rural health unit.
“Ito pong Super Health Center, isa po ito sa pamamaraan para ilapit natin ang serbisyo medikal sa atin mga kababayan at madi-decongest ang mga ospital dahil hindi na kailangan na pumunta ng ospital, pwede na po diyan ‘yung mga primary care,” he said.
“Diyan na rin po ‘yung Konsulta ng PhilHealth dahil bawat Pilipino po ay miyembro po ng PhilHealth, hindi na kakailanganing bumyahe ng malayo para magpagamot,” Go continued.
Through the concerted efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the DOH led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide. In North Cotabato, a total of 16 Super Health Centers are funded.
Go also lauded the local government for their support and dedication to bringing medical services closer to their constituents, including Vice Governor Efren Piñol, Mayor Jose Paolo Evangelista, Regional Director Aristides Concepcion Tan of Department of Health XII, among others.
In support of community health workers, Go’s Malasakit Team distributed foodpacks, shirts, basketball and volleyballs, and shirts during their visit.
Moreover, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered additional help to the residents needing medical assistance through the Malasakit Center located at the Cotabato Provincial Hospital in the city.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. According to the DOH, 165 operational centers have helped more than ten million Filipinos nationwide.
Go then emphasized the significance of the enactment of RA 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, in which he was a principal sponsor and one of the authors in the Senate. He underscored the importance of this legislation as a significant step forward in improving the availability of specialized medical care in all regions.
