Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go renewed his commitment to help boost the country’s health sector and wished Filipinos a safe and healthy holiday season.
The senator also encouraged Filipinos to keep their optimism, remain cooperative and continue the Bayanihan spirit to ensure that no one is left behind toward recovery.
“In exchanging gifts and giving time to our family, let us not forget our unfortunate countrymen,” Go, chairperson of the Senate health committee, said.
He exhorted everyone to give help to the needy, through generous and small little ways. Go also reaffirmed his commitment to make health services more accessible and affordable to all as he continues to advocate for the establishment of more Malasakit Centers and Super Health Centers (SHCs) nationwide.
“The establishment of the SHC is being funded by the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the Department of Health (DOH) that we are pushing on Congress since last year,” he said.
The construction of 307 SHCs nationwide is included in the 2022 budget.
“We want to establish more SHCs in the next years with the DOH and with the help of LGUs,” Go said.
The SHC is an upgraded version of the 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.
Meanwhile, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for the medical assistance programs offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. There are now 153 such centers that have helped millions of Filipinos nationwide.
He also reassured that he will keep on pushing for necessary programs and initiatives to help more Filipinos recover from the ongoing pandemic and other crisis situations, which will allow them to lead a more comfortable life.