Go: More care centers means wider access
Go earlier supported funding for the establishment of the Super Health Center as part of his continuing advocacy to bring affordable and accessible primary healthcare services closer to Filipinos.
SENATOR Bong Go (center) joined the turnover of a Super Health Center in Barangay Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, on 5 November, as part of continuing efforts to bring essential medical services closer to residents. The turnover ceremony was attended by former Senator Koko Pimentel (to Go's left) and other city and barangay officials. Go also distributed grocery packs to the barangay health workers who attended the event. Go stressed the importance of strengthening health services at the barangay level to help detect and address illnesses early, sparing residents from having to travel long distances to meet their basic medical needs.
Photograph courtesy of sbg
The joint turnover of the Kauswagan Super Health Center and the Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Barangay Economic Enterprise Building in Cagayan de Oro City was held on 5 November with Senator Christopher “Bong” Go gracing it.
Go reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening accessible healthcare services and supporting grassroots development through building health facilities.
Held at NHA Block 50 in Barangay Kauswagan, the ceremony marked the formal turnover of two facilities intended to improve healthcare delivery and provide additional opportunities for local economic development.
A health reforms crusader and vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go earlier supported funding for the establishment of the Super Health Center as part of his continuing advocacy to bring affordable and accessible primary healthcare services closer to Filipinos.
The facility is designed to provide essential medical services, including consultations, prenatal care, birthing services, minor medical procedures, and pharmacy services, depending on available personnel, equipment, and operational resources.
By bringing these services closer to residential areas, the Super Health Center can help reduce transportation expenses and other difficulties experienced by patients who otherwise need to travel to larger hospitals for basic medical attention.
“Our goal is to bring medical services closer to our fellow Filipinos. With a health facility near their communities, they can seek medical attention more quickly and receive timely treatment for their illnesses,” Go emphasized.
Goal is nationwide scope
The senator has consistently advocated for the establishment of Super Health Centers nationwide, recognizing the importance of early disease detection, preventive healthcare, and timely medical intervention in improving public health outcomes.
Through the collective efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the Department of Health, and local government units, funding has been allocated for more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide.
The Kauswagan facility is among five Super Health Center projects identified for Cagayan de Oro City, alongside those in Balubal, San Simon, Carmen and Baikingon. Across Northern Mindanao, the initiative has identified 59 projects.
Go emphasized that these facilities must have adequate medical personnel, equipment, medicines, and operational resources to ensure residents can fully benefit from their services.
His healthcare advocacy also includes Malasakit Centers and Regional Specialty Centers, which complement efforts to strengthen primary healthcare facilities.
Go principally authored and sponsored Republic Act 1463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized one-stop shops in qualified public hospitals to help indigent and financially incapacitated patients access available government medical assistance.
Two Malasakit Centers currently operate in Cagayan de Oro City, located at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center and JR Borja General Hospital.