Senator Christopher “Bong” Go emphasized the significance of Senate Bill No. 2212, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, in improving the healthcare system and providing specialized healthcare to every Filipino following its approval in the Senate on its third and final reading on Monday, 29 May.
Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health and sponsor of the measure, said that its passage signifies a strong commitment and a collective vision toward enhancing the healthcare landscape in the country.
The senator believes that this legislation reflects the dedication of the government to deliver compassionate and accessible healthcare services that cater to the specific needs of every Filipino.
“Gusto ko rin pong ibahagi sa ating mga kababayan na para sa kanila po ang panukalang batas na ito,” said Go.
“It is your experiences and stories that have driven us to create a healthcare system that is compassionate, accessible, and designed to meet the needs of every Filipino,” he added.
With the passage of the measure, Go said that the voices of the people have been heard, and it serves as a reminder that their concerns and welfare are of utmost importance.
“Ito pong regional specialty centers ay isang paraan para mailapit natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan lalung-lalo na po yung mga mahihirap,” said Go.
The proposed Regional Specialty Centers Act aims to bring medical services closer to the people, particularly those who are less fortunate. It seeks to bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility by establishing specialized centers that cater to specific medical needs in different regions.
If the bill is enacted, the Department of Health shall be mandated to establish specialty centers within designated DOH-hospitals in every region within a span of five years.
The primary emphasis will be placed on establishing centers dedicated to heart, lung, and kidney conditions, aiming to replicate the capabilities found in the National Specialty Centers located in Metro Manila.
The factors to be considered when determining the establishment of these specialty centers will involve evaluating the health requirements and demands of the population, ensuring convenient geographical accessibility to the hospital, assessing the hospital’s role as a referral center, ascertaining the availability of specialized healthcare professionals, and evaluating the hospital’s operational and financial performance.
The measure was also authored by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva, Senators Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Pia Cayetano, Jinggoy Estrada, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, Win Gatchalian, Francis Escudero, Ronald dela Rosa, Ramon Revilla Jr., Cynthia Villar, and Loren Legarda. It was also co-authored by Senators Francis Tolentino, Raffy Tulfo, Risa Hontiveros, Lito Lapid, Grace Poe, Mark Villar, Alan Cayetano, Nancy Binay, and Koko Pimentel.
Go, an advocate for improved healthcare access in the country, is also the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
To date, 157 operational centers have helped more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to the DOH.
Go has also consistently expressed his dedication to supporting the establishment of Super Health Centers throughout the country, acknowledging their potential to substantially alleviate hospital congestion and enhance accessibility to government healthcare services at the community level.
Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed.
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.