Senator Christopher “Bong” Go joined the 55th founding anniversary celebration of the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center (DOPMC) in Mati City on Friday, July 24, where he witnessed the ceremonial turnover and blessing of a floor-mounted digital X-ray machine and a CCTV system donated by the Okada Foundation.

The celebration honored the provincial hospital’s 55 years of service to the people of Davao Oriental while marking the addition of new equipment aimed at enhancing its healthcare capabilities and improving the delivery of medical services.

Go congratulated the DOPMC administration, healthcare professionals, support staff, and the rest of the hospital community for their steadfast commitment to providing quality healthcare to patients across the province.

He also thanked the Okada Foundation for providing the medical equipment and acknowledged the provincial and local officials, hospital personnel, healthcare workers, and partner institutions involved in the activity.

Local execs cited

Go particularly recognized Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, Vice Governor Ma. Glenda Monette Gayta, Board Member Don Montojo, Mati City Mayor Joel Mayo Almario, San Isidro Mayor Ma. Angelica Go-Dayanghirang, Lupon Mayor Santos Alonzo Jr., Lupon Vice Mayor Atty. Chrence Go, and other local officials for supporting initiatives intended to improve healthcare services across the province.

During his visit to Davao Oriental, Go reiterated in a speech delivered in Lupon that the health and welfare of Filipinos remain among his priorities.“Health is wealth. Napakahalaga sa akin ng kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Kung mayroon kayong pasyenteng kailangang operahan sa Davao o Tagum, magsabi lamang kayo sa vice mayor, konsehal, kay Board Member Don, o kay Board Member Jimboy. Tutulungan namin kayo,” he said.

The medical equipment is expected to assist doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers in attending to patients and responding to the medical needs of communities served by the provincial hospital.

Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center is also home to the province’s Malasakit Center, which was launched on 9 October 2020, as the 86th Malasakit Center in the country.

Compassion hubs

The Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop that brings together concerned government agencies to help qualified patients access available medical and financial assistance.

Go authored and principally sponsored Republic Act 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the program in Department of Health hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital and authorized its establishment in other qualified public hospitals.

In discussing the healthcare programs he had supported, Go cited the establishment of Malasakit Centers, Super Health Centers, and specialty centers in Davao and other parts of the country.