Senator Christopher “Bong” Go welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push to expand regional specialty centers and medical scholarship programs, while renewing his call for the full implementation of the law creating the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines.

Go said the initiatives highlighted during the President’s State of the Nation Address would improve access to healthcare, particularly for patients in the provinces who often have to travel to Metro Manila for specialized treatment.

“Many of our countrymen in the provinces have to travel long distances just to receive treatment for heart disease, cancer, kidney ailments and other serious illnesses,” Go said.

“Aside from paying for medical treatment, they also spend on transportation, food and lodging. That is why we must bring specialized medical services closer to the regions,” he added.

The senator, principal sponsor of the Regional Specialty Centers Act, said the facilities must be supported with trained specialists, modern equipment, medicines and adequate funding.

“It is not enough to simply build a specialty center or give it a name. It must have enough specialists, equipment, medicines and funding to continuously serve patients,” Go said.

He added that the law aims to spare patients from having to travel to the capital for advanced medical care.

“Our goal is to ensure that Filipinos no longer have to go to Manila just to receive specialized treatment. Every region should have the capability to address illnesses that require specialized care,” he said.

Go also welcomed the expansion of medical scholarships, saying they would help address the shortage of doctors and other healthcare professionals, especially in underserved communities.

“Many young Filipinos have the ability and the dream of becoming doctors or health professionals but lack the financial means to pursue their studies,” he said.