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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Go seeks joyous but safer celebration of holiday season amid COVID-19 threat

Go seeks joyous but safer celebration of holiday season amid COVID-19 threat

Published Dec 25, 2022 09:50 am

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Sunday, December 25 called on Filipinos to celebrate the holiday season in a merry, joyful and safe manner despite the eased gathering restrictions this year.

Go, in his Christmas message, said it is important for Filipinos to remain vigilant as the threat of COVID-19 remains, especially in the upcoming New Year revelries.

“Sa pagsalubong naman natin sa Bagong Taon, manatiling mapagmatyag tayong lahat lalo na at nariyan pa ang COVID-19 (As we welcome the New Year, let's all stay vigilant especially since COVID-19 is still around)," Go said in a statement.

"Naniniwala naman ako na malalampasan natin ang pagsubok na ito at lalabas tayo bilang isang mas malakas at matatag na bansang Pilipinas (But I believe that we will overcome this test and we will emerge as a stronger and more stable Philippine nation),” he stressed.

"Ito na marahil ang unang pagkakataon na magtitipun-tipon tayo at makakain nang sama-sama matapos ang mahigpit na mga patakaran kontra pandemya. Ang importante ay ligtas dapat tayong lahat at kasama natin ang ating mga pamilya (This is probably the first time we will gather and ear together after the strict anti-pandemic rules. The important thing is that we should all be safe and with our families)," Go also said.

Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said he remains fully committed to make health services more accessible and affordable to all in 2023.

The senator said he will continue to advocate for the establishment of more Malasakit Centers and Super Health Centers nationwide.

He pointed out the construction of the SHCs is part of and funded under the Department of Health's (DOH) Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP). This includes the construction of 307 SHCs across the country under the 2022 budget.

"We also want to continue building more SHCs in the next few years with the DOH and with the help of the LGUs," he said.

The SHC is an upgraded version of the rural health unit and which 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.

On the other hand, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for the medical assistance programs offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

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