Sen. Bong Go continues efforts of strengthening the country’s health care system as he personally attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Barangay Gulod, Calatagan, Batangas on Monday, 7 November.
Go, who was instrumental in pushing for sufficient fund allocation for the construction of the said centers, expressed his optimism that more Filipinos will be able to access quality health services by the government through the construction of these Super Health Centers in various parts of the country.
“Swerte tayo, mga kapatid kong Batangueño, na magkakaroon ng Super Health Center dito sa Calatagan. Isinulong po natin at ipinaglaban na magkaroon ng Super Health Center dito sa inyo dahil alam ko po kung gaano ninyo kailangan na mapalapit sa inyo ang serbisyong medikal ng gobyerno,” said Go.
“Naiintindihan ko po na napakalayo ng inyong barangay sa sentro kaya naman kami na po gumawa ng paraan para hindi na kayo bumyahe pa. Magkakaroon tayo ng 307 na Super Health Centers sa buong bansa,” he added.
The government has allocated funds of nearly PhP3.6 billion in the 2022 Health Facilities Enhancement Program to be able to construct a total of 307 Super Health Centers, which shall offer health services including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, 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 can be done.
Previously, the Department of Health (DOH) stated that the construction of more Super Health Centers will significantly reduce the occupancy rates in hospitals.
DOH, with the support of Senator Go, plans to build at least 320 more SHCs in 2023.
“Ilalagay po ito sa mga strategic areas para hindi na nila kailangan bumiyahe pa sa mga regional o provincial hospitals,” highlighted Go in an ambush interview during the event.
“Kaya gusto ko pong palakasin pa ang ating health care system dahil hindi natin alam kung ito lang ba ang pandemyang darating sa buhay natin. Sana wala na pong dumating na pandemya. Kaya mag-ingat po tayo. Pangalagaan po natin ang buhay at kalusugan ng bawat isa,” he emphasized.
Aside from Calatagan, Super Health Centers will also be established in Agoncillo, Lipa City, San Pablo City, San Pascual, Taysan, and Ibaan in Batangas.