Senator Christopher ‘’Bong’’ Go has personally inspected Sto. Domingo Super Health Center (SHCs) in Nueva Ecija as part of his efforts as chairman of the Senate Health Committee to bring government health services closer to Filipinos in need.
After he inspected the Super Health Center in Rizal town, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go proceeded to inspect the SHC in the town of Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija last Thursday, Feb. 23.
In his speech, Go thanked the Department of Health (DOH) and the local government of Sto. Domingo led by Mayor Imee de Guzman, Vice Mayor Jhelyn Velasco, and Congresswoman Mika Suansing, among others, for working together to make certain that their constituents get affordable healthcare.
He also earlier acknowledged the efforts of Nueva Ecija Governor Oyie Umali, Vice Governor Anthony Umali and GP Party-list Rep. Jose Padiernos.
Go then reiterated his dedication to support the establishment of more SHC across the country, considering how they significantly help reduce hospital occupancy rates.
Services offered in SHCs 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.
Apart from Sto. Domingo, eight more SHCs are planned to be constructed in Camp Tinio, San Leonardo, Aliga, Bongabon, Llanera, Science City Muñoz, Zaragoza, and Rizal which he visited earlier.
Through Go’s efforts, sufficient funds had been allocated under the 2022 Health Facilities Enhancement Program for the construction of some 307 SHCs.
He was likewise successful in pushing for additional funds under the 2023 budget to support the construction of 322 SHCs in other parts of the country.
Go later led a relief operation at the municipal covered court where he and his team gave away grocery packs, vitamins, snacks, masks, and shirts to 342 struggling residents.
The senator from Davao likewise provided select beneficiaries with bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) extended financial assistance to the residents.
Go also encouraged those in need of medical attention to seek assistance from the Malasakit Centers located at Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Hospital and Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center, both in Cabanatuan City, and Talavera General Hospital in Talavera town.
Senator Go principally authored and sponsored Republic Act (RA) No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, to ensure that particularly poor and indigent patients have easier access to affordable healthcare services. Currently, there are 154 Malasakit Centers nationwide.
Go, as vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported the rehabilitation of Barangay Baloc Public Market, and the construction of several roads in the town.
Earlier that day, apart from inspecting the SHC in Rizal, Go also led a relief activity for the said town’s indigents.
He also inspected the progress of the bridge in Barangay Dolores Sto. Domingo - Aliaga, the funding of which was supported by Go.