Better access to health care in Mindanao pushed

MANILA, Philippines — Pushing for better access to health care in all parts of Mindanao, Sen. Bong Go launched two Malasakit Centers in Maguindanao and Kidapawan City this week.?

Go, who chairs the Senate committee on health and demography, opened last Tuesday the 109th Malasakit Center at the Cotabato Sanitarium in Sultan Kudarat town, Maguindanao.

It is the sixth Malasakit Center in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the second in the province after the one at the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital in Shariff Aguak town.

On Wednesday, Go attended the launch of the country’s 110th Malasakit Center at the Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.

“You have my full support. I’ll help you with your needs for additional bed capacity and quality medicines for patients to ensure a healthy community,” said the senator in Filipino.

He said the Duterte administration remains committed to improving access to quality health care services in Mindanao and that Malasakit Centers help make this happen, especially as the country combats the pandemic.

The senator honored health care workers for their service and sacrifices and vowed to carry their cause in government.

His team handed out meals, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 270 frontliners as well as 39 patients after the ceremony.

Selected health workers were given new pairs of shoes while others were given bicycles for traveling to work. Some were given computer tablets for their children’s educational use.

Meanwhile, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance to each patient beneficiary in a separate distribution.

In Maguindanao, Go reassured the people that President Duterte remains strongly committed to pursuing peace and stability in the BARMM.

He said the government continues to boost infrastructure development to generate economic growth in all regions of the country, particularly in BARMM.

At the Sultan Kudarat Gym, Go’s team led the distribution of aid to over 100 ustadzes, orphans and market vendors to help them overcome the pandemic during these difficult times.

Among those present during the ceremony in Maguindanao were Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu and Sultan Kudarat Gov. Suharto Teng Mangudadatu.

Also recognized by Go were Sultan Kudarat Mayor Shameem Tucao Mastura, Matanog Mayor Kits Guro, Barira Mayor Rauf Tomawis, Parang Mayor Cahar Ibay, Sultan Mastura Mayor Rauf Mastura, Buldon Mayor Abolais Manalao and Datu Abdullah Sangki Mayor Datu Pax Ali Sangki Mangudadatu.