Manila set to open 16 'super health centers'

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna announced on Saturday, July 16, that the city government is set to open 16 "super health centers" in the city in 2024. She said each super health center will be equipped with basic laboratory testing, electrocardiogram (ECG), and ultrasound machines for pregnant women with portable digital periapical dental x-ray. The mayor said she plans to turn Manila into a world-class city by extending the capabilities of the city's 44 health centers. "Upang makamit ito, kinakailangan nating unahin na matugunan ang mga payak na pangangailangan ng bawat mamamayan. Bilang isang doktora, pinaka-mahalaga sa akin na pangalagaan at tiyakin ang maayos na kalusugan ng bawat Manilenyo (To achieve this, we must prioritize meeting the basic needs of every citizen. As a doctor, it is most important to me to care and ensure the good health of every Manilenyo)," the mayor stated. According to Lacuna- Pangan, all health centers and even the city employees' clinics are accredited by the Philhealth Konsulta to ensure the proper implementation of universal health care (UHC) in the city. Under Republic Act No. 11223 or UHC Act, health institutions are mandated to develop policies and programs, regulations, and a range of entitlements such as drugs, medicines, pharmaceutical products, other devices, procedures, and services for the public. She also said that the city government in coordination with its health department, has initially launched various medical projects and services. The mayor also cited in her first State of the City Address (SOCA) the support contributed by private organizations and the national government that enabled her to open significant healthcare facilities in the city. Among the newly inaugurated facilities were the Infectious Ward at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Medical Center, the rehabilitation center of the Tayabas Health Center; the Isidro Mendoza Health Center; the Fabella Health Center; and the rehabilitation center of the Paltoc Health Center. Lacuna- Pangan also thanked the contributors to the construction of the Passion Healthcare Dialysis Center and Sta. Ana Hospital Blood Bank, as well as the donators of Human Milkbank Pasteurizer in Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital. The local chief executive also noted the newly installed equipment at Ospital ng Maynila, including the 256-slice computerized tomography (CT) Scan, magnetic resonance imaging or MRI; Digital Mammography with Photosynthesis, and 3D and 4D Ultrasound for pregnant women.