SENATOR and Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography Christopher “Bong” Go personally witnessed the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Barangay Bagacay West, Maasin, Iloilo on Saturday, January 21, as part of his efforts to bolster the country’s healthcare sector.

In his speech, Go assured that he will continue pushing for the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide, especially in far-flung communities where basic health services are not conveniently accessible.

The senator likewise underscored that the Super Health Centers aim to improve the delivery of public health services in the grassroots as these centers are designed to bring Filipinos closer to the government.

“Sa paglilibot ko ng bansa, napansin ko na napakaraming lugar ang kulang sa mga health facilities. Wala silang sarili nilang hospital. Minsan po nanganganak sa tricycle, sa jeepney papunta do’n sa ospital na dalawang oras na biyahe,” cited Go.

“Kaya naman isinusulong ko ang pagpapatayo ng mga Super Health Centers nationwide, lalo na sa mga rural areas, para hindi na po kailangan lumayo ng ating mga kababayan para sa kanilang basic health service needs. Palagi ko rin pinapaalala kung gaano kahalaga ang kalusugan, kaya ‘wag natin pahirapan ang ating mga kababayan na makakuha ng serbisyong medikal at ilapit natin ito sa kanila,” he urged.

Some 307 SHCs had been funded in 2022 through Go’s initiative. He has likewise successfully pushed for sufficient funds for more centers in this year’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the Department of Health.

The Super Health Center is an improved version of a rural health unit. 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.

Apart from Maasin, Super Health Centers will also be established in Iloilo City, and the towns of Anilao, Carles, Sara, Pavia, Igbaras, and San Joaquin, the groundbreaking of which was personally witnessed by Go and Senator Robinhood Padilla months ago.

“Tuluy-tuloy po ang pagbubukas o pag-groundbreaking po ng mga Super Health Center… Ito pong (mga) Super Health Center po na iga-groundbreaking ngayon (at) bubuksan ay makakatulong po dahil mayroon itong mga birthing facilities, mayroon din po itong mga dental services at iba pang basic health services,” said Go in an ambush interview following his participation in the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City earlier that day.

Continuing his remarks, Go commended all healthcare workers and frontliners who continue to risk their lives for their fellow Filipinos.

“Sa lahat po ng mga frontliners, maraming-maraming salamat sa inyong sakripisyo. Hindi po nababayaran ng kahit anuman po ang ginawa ninyo sa panahon ng pandemya. Kayo po ang nagbuwis ng buhay, kayo po ang nagsakripisyo, lahat ginawa ninyo…. Kung mayroon mang (dapat) pasalamatan, kayo po iyon, mga frontliners.”

Meanwhile, to ensure that financially incapacitated Filipinos get convenient access to medical assistance programs of the government, Go encouraged fellow Filipinos to seek the services of the Malasakit Centers in the province located at Western Visayas Medical Center and West Visayas State University Medical Center, both in Iloilo City; Don Jose D. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo; and Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital in Sta. Barbara.

After he personally witnessed the struggles of disadvantaged Filipinos to get the medical aid they need, Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program that brings together concerned agencies that offer medical assistance. The program was later institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored.

“Ang Malasakit Center po ay one-stop shop kung saan po nasa loob po ng hospital ‘yung apat na ahensya ng gobyerno, ‘yung PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH, DSWD na handang tumulong po sa mga kababayan nating mga poor and indigent patients. Lapitan n’yo lang po ang Malasakit Center,” Go advised.

As part of his commitment to help in the development of the province, Go, who is also the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the improvement of roads in Badiangan, Banate, Dumangas, Lemery, Miag-ao and Sara; construction of a health station in Barangay Bucari in Leon; acquisition of trucks for Barotac Viejo and Zarraga; construction of the legislative building with complete facilities in the municipal hall of San Dionisio; and acquisition of ambulance units for Leon and Oton.

On the same day, Go likewise witnessed the groundbreaking of three more Super Health Centers in Kalibo, Numancia, and Tangalan, all in Aklan province.

The senator also personally spearheaded distribution activities for tornado victims in Oton, Iloilo; and disadvantaged residents in the towns of Kalibo, Numancia, and Tangalan, Aklan.

Lastly, Go attended and delivered a short speech at the Ati-atihan Coronation Night in Ibajay, Aklan.