Senator Christopher “Bong” Go led the launch of the country’s 159th Malasakit Center at the Bislig District Hospital in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
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Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said that the Malasakit Centers program aims to provide a seamless and expedited process for particularly poor and indigent patients to access government medical assistance programs.
The newly-opened Malasakit Center in Bislig District Hospital, under the district of Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel, is the seventh Malasakit Center in Caraga Region and 40th in Mindanao.
"As chairman ng Committee on Health, priority ko talaga itong Malasakit Center para mayroon kayong nalalapitan sa inyong pagpapaospital (this Malasakit Center is my priority so you can have somewhere you can reach for hospitalization.," explained Go, principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
Under it are the government's four health agencies, namely the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Department of Health (DOH), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) who will aid patients in their hospital needs.
The Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop, streamlining the assistance process by bringing together various government agencies under one roof. Patients can seek assistance for their medical bills, laboratory fees, and other related expenses without the hassle of multiple visits and endless paperwork.
During the launch, Go expressed his gratitude to the local officials, including Pimentel, Governor Alexander Pimentel, Mayor Florencio Garay, and Vice Mayor Alfredo Carmelo, as well as the medical staff, and partner agencies who have made the program's expansion possible.
According to DOH, these centers have assisted more than seven million Filipinos nationwide.
“Hindi po ako titigil po sa mga programang makakabuti po sa ating mga kababayan, ipagpapatuloy ko po ang mga nasimulan (I will not stop with programs that help my countrymen, I will continue what I started),” Go emphasized.
“Tulad nitong Malasakit Center kung nakakatulong naman po sa mga kababayan natin, ipagpapatuloy natin (Like this Malasakit Center if it helps our citizens, we will continue it),” he continued.
Meanwhile, Go also extended assistance to 129 patients and 191 frontliners including security guards, utilities, and hospital staff. They all received grocery packs, masks, vitamins, and snacks while select recipients received mobile phones, shoes, watches, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball.
Still in line with his efforts to bolster the health sector, Go has supported the construction of several Super Health Centers nationwide. Under the 2022 national budget, Super Health Centers will be established in Surigao del Sur, particularly in Cantilan, Hinatuan, Lianga and Lingig. In 2023, more centers were identified to be established in Barobo, San Agustin and Tagbina.
These centers will offer database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, 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, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible.
Through the collective efforts of Go, DOH, and fellow lawmakers, enough funds have been allocated to build 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, which is the lead agency in implementing the program, identifies the strategic locations for the construction of these centers.
“Ito ay isang malaking hakbang para mapalapit ang gobyerno sa mga Pilipino, lalo na sa mga nangangailangan ng serbisyong medikal. Ang Super Health Center ay may layunin na ilapit ang serbisyo medikal sa inyong pamilya sa pamamagitan ng pagbigay ng primary care, medical consultations at early detection of diseases sa inyong komunidad (This is a big step to make the government closer to Filipinos, especially to those in need of medical assistance. The Super Health Center aims to make medical services nearer to families by providing primary care, medical consultations, and early detection of diseases in the community),” he continued.
Moreover, Go highlighted the recent passage of RA 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. The said law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.
“Marami po sa mga kababayan natin sa iba’t ibang sulok ng Pilipinas ang walang sapat na health facilities na makakagamot sa kanilang mga karamdaman. Kaya importante na mailapit natin ang serbisyong medikal mula gobyerno sa mga taong nangangailangan nito,” he stressed.
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, also extended his support for several projects in Bislig City to further contribute to its development. Among these projects are the construction of an evacuation center and multipurpose buildings, and the paving of a road along Bocto-Tumanan.
On the same day, Go provided gift packs to 32 newly married couples during the Kasalan ng Bayan in Bislig City.
He also took part in the Pagtutulay, Pagtutuloy: Strengthening Partnerships in Philippine Public Higher Education summit that was held at Dusit Thani in Davao City.