Bong Go commends groundbreaking in Rizal, Nueva Ecija

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go remains committed to providing better access to quality healthcare services and building more public health facilities across the country as a Super Health Center held its groundbreaking in Rizal, Nueva Ecija.

In a video message, Go, who serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, expressed his confidence that the government would be able to help more poor and indigent patients, particularly those in rural areas, with the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide.

“Layunin po ng mga centers na ito na mas ilapit pa sa ating mga kababayan ang mga serbisyong medikal ng gobyerno, lalo na sa mga nasa liblib na lugar at pinaka nangangailangan ng mga ito,” explained Go.

“Sa pamamagitan nito, hindi na nila kailangang pumunta sa mga malalaking ospital na kadalasan ay nasa mga syudad kung wala namang malalang sakit at magagamot naman sa pasilidad na mas malapit sa kanila,” he added.

Services offered in Super Health Centers include 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.

Go, who was instrumental in securing funding for the construction of Super Health Centers, has stated that the government intends to construct additional Super Health Centers this year after more than 300 of the said facilities were funded in 2022.

“Sa 2022, no’ng nakaraang taon, marami na hong nakapag-groundbreaking at ‘yung iba patapos na po,” said Go.

“About 307 na Super Health Center sa 2022 and about 322 na Super Health Center na maaaring buksan o i-groundbreaking sa year 2023,” he added.

Moreover, he also supported the construction of other Super Health Centers in the province, including in Cabanatuan City, and in the towns of San Leonardo and Sto. Domingo.

“Sabi ko nga, now is the time to really invest in our healthcare system. Umaasa ako na ito ang huling pandemya sa ating buhay pero ang totoo hindi natin alam kung mayroon o kailan dadating ang susunod,” expressed Go.

“Talaga pong nabigla ang ating healthcare nung dumating ang pandemya kaya naman pursigido po talaga ako na palakasin pa po ito sa abot ng aking makakaya. Dapat po talaga palagi tayong one-step ahead,” he continued.

Go then offered assistance to any resident in need of medical attention as he informed them that there are Malasakit Centers in the province that they may visit.

Principally authored and sponsored by Go, the Malasakit Centers Act mandates all Department of Health-run hospitals, and the Philippine General Hospital, to establish their own Malasakit Centers to conveniently assist poor and indigent patients with their hospital bills by covering various patient services and fees.

There are now 153 Malasakit Centers nationwide, including those in Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Hospital and Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center, both in Cabanatuan City, and Talavera General Hospital in Talavera town.

A recent report from the DOH indicates that over seven million Filipinos have benefited from the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients Program which most have availed through the Malasakit Center initiative.

“Hindi po biro ang magkasakit sa panahong ito lalo na po at may mga pinagdaraanan tayong pagsubok. Kaya po kung kayo ay may nararamdaman, huwag na po kayong mag-alinlangan pa at magpatingin na po kayo sa doktor. Marami pong Malasakit Center sa buong bansa na handa po kayong tulungan sa inyong mga bayaring medikal,” Go encouraged.

“Mga kababayan ko, magmalasakit at magbayanihan po tayo. Malalampasan po natin itong krisis na ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino. Maraming salamat po sa inyong kooperasyon sa ating gobyerno,” ended Go.

On the same day, Go also attended the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Bustos Hospital and conducted an inspection of the Bustos Sports Complex in Bustos, Bulacan. He also attended the Minasa Festival in the said town.