Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, lauded the local government of Santa Margarita, Samar, for the successful handover of its Super Health Center on Friday, 15 December.

The event was attended by Mayor Felix Panganoron, and Vice Mayor Erdie de los Santos, among others. It can be recalled that Go personally inspected the construction of the said health facility last April.

In his video message, Go emphasized the crucial role these centers play in decongesting hospitals and providing essential healthcare services to rural communities. Super Health Centers are strategically designed to focus on primary care, allowing for efficient consultation and early detection of diseases.

Go said that this approach not only enhances the quality of healthcare available to residents but also contributes significantly to the early management of health issues, potentially reducing the need for more extensive medical interventions later.

"Ang kagandahan nitong early disease detection ay magagamit ito sa pagbigay ng primary care at pagkokonsulta, and it will help decongest the hospital dahil pwede na pong gamutin dito. At ilalagay po ito sa mga strategic areas. Ilalagay nila sa isang barangay kung saan po makaka-access 'yung mga kababayan natin," Go pointed out.

Aside from Sta. Margarita, Go was also instrumental in pushing for the funding of more than 600 Super Health Centers in strategic locations nationwide as identified by the Department of Health (DOH), including others in Samar particularly in Sta. Rita, Calbiga and San Jorge.

The Super Health Centers will offer a range of healthcare services, including 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 centers, and telemedicine, through which remote diagnosis and treatment of patients are made possible.

These centers form a critical part of Go's broader vision for the healthcare sector in the country, particularly in underserved areas.

During the event, Go's Malasakit Team was also there to distribute shirts, grocery packs, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select recipients.

Go also advocates for the continuous operation and support of Malasakit Centers, which have been pivotal in providing accessible medical-related assistance to Filipinos, especially those in dire need.

Institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally sponsored and authored, the primary aim of the Malasakit Center is to reduce the hospital bill of patients to the lowest amount possible by covering various services and expenses. With 159 operational centers nationwide, the centers have benefited around ten million Filipinos, according to DOH.

In the province, the Malasakit Center is located at Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City.

Moreover, Go's vision includes the establishment of more Regional Specialty Centers. These specialized facilities aim to provide high-quality healthcare services, targeting specific medical needs and conditions prevalent in different regions.

This approach ensures that specialized care is available closer to home for many Filipinos, Go said. It also contributes to the overall strengthening of the country's healthcare infrastructure, he added.

RA 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which Go is the principal sponsor and one of the authors in the Senate, holds importance in the healthcare legislative agenda of the Marcos Administration, as outlined in the Philippine Development Plan covering the years 2023 to 2028. This legislation is designed to establish Regional Specialty Centers within existing regional hospitals under DOH jurisdiction.

Go also earlier sponsored the law mandating the establishment of the Samar Island Medical Center in Calbayog City.

"Ako po ang sponsor nito at tumulong po ang ating mga kapwa mambabatas para maisakatuparan at mapondohan po itong Samar Island Medical Center para mayroon nang sariling ospital na malapit sa inyong lugar," he shared.

Meanwhile, as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go also supported the construction of an evacuation center in Santa Margarita town.