ILOILO – Eight “super” health centers will be built in different municipalities in Iloilo province, one of which is currently under construction in Anilao town, according to Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go.
He is pushing for more hospitals and health centers in the country.
He inspected one recently in this province – the Anilao Super Health Center. It has a project cost of P6,880,000.
During his inspection, the senator, who was accompanied by Mayor Lee Anne Debuque, turned over hard hats, vests, floor plan, and white print of the Anilao Super Health Center with storage facilities.
The health center is expected to be completed and operational by August 2023.
Among the health services that would be available are free X-ray, ultrasound, dental, laboratory, electrocardiogram (ECG), and birthing center service.
A total of 21 barangays of Anilao can benefit from the health facility which can also do minor operation.
“Ako po bilang inyong Senate committee chairman on health, ang aking adbokasiya health at sports. Gusto kong padamihin ang mga ospital, mga super health centers dahil hindi natin alam… Mas mabuting handa tayo,” Go told Anilaonons.
The senator also distributed relief goods and cash assistance amounting to P3,000 each from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to residents of barangays Badiang, Mostro and Poblacion who were affected by Typhoon “Agaton”.
A total of 7,615 households in Anilao received relief goods, vitamins and food from Go.
Meanwhile, during the Senate plenary deliberation on Nov. 17 for the proposed 2023 budget of the Department of Health (DOH), Go reiterated the need to further strengthen the country’s healthcare system in order to better meet the needs of the Filipino people.
Among others, he requested the DOH to guarantee sufficient funding for its Health Facilities Enhancement Program and the continuation of funding for super health centers, both of which he had advocated for in its 2022 budget, in order for the government to improve access to primary care facilities.
“Ito pong super health centers ay medium version of polyclinic na kung saan nandiyan na po ang birthing facilities, laboratory, emergency cases na hindi na po kailangang dalhin pa sa malalaking ospital na napakalayo naman po,” he said.
Along with improving health facilities, Go emphasized the importance of ensuring the proper regulation of health facilities, including the inspection of health facilities and the management of the growing number of complaints against health facilities and services.
The senator then stressed that affordability of healthcare is just as crucial as easy access to healthcare facilities. According to Go, this is why he principally authored and sponsored Republic Act 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act, which calls for the creation of Malasakit Centers in all DOH hospitals and in the Philippine General Hospital./PN
