Bong Go opens Malasakit Center in Leyte

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go attended the launch of the country’s 104th Malasakit Center in Palo, Leyte on Friday.

The Leyte Provincial Hospital is the eighth hospital in Eastern Visayas and third in Leyte to establish its Malasakit Center. The Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) in Tacloban and Ormoc District Hospital also have Malasakit Centers.

A fourth center in the province and the 105th nationwide was launched at the Schistosomiasis Control and Research Hospital (SCRH) in Palo on the same day.

In his speech, Go expressed gratitude for the invaluable service rendered by the medical community to treat patients and control the spread of COVID-19.

“President Duterte and I thank our frontliners, the doctors, nurses and other health workers for your service and sacrifice during this time,” he said.

As reports of infections, illnesses and deaths from around the globe continue to mount, Go reiterated the commitment of the government to provide medical frontliners, particularly those in COVID-19 hotspots, the protection, support and resources they need.

To enhance the healthcare system’s capacity in Leyte, the Senate committee on health, which Go chairs, approved House Bill 6971, which seeks to increase the bed capacity of the SCRH from 25 to 100 beds and rename the hospital to Governor Benjamin T. Romualdez General Hospital and Schistosomiasis Center.

The committee also approved HB 6972, which seeks to increase the bed capacity of the EVRMC from 500 to 1,500 and rename it to Eastern Visayas Medical Center.

Go said he would sponsor the bills once Congress resumes session.