Go hits lack of power, water in Super Health Centers

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go has warned that residents in remote areas will remain deprived of access to medical services if health infrastructure projects are not fully equipped and operational.

Go, vice chairman of the Senate committee on health, raised the alarm following reports that some Super Health Centers (SHCs) have been completed, but reportedly lack basic utilities such as electricity and water.

During a committee hearing on Monday, Go stressed that health facilities must be completed, equipped, provided with manpower and made operational so that public funds spent for health care infrastructure will be felt by Filipinos, especially in remote and underserved communities.

“It is alarming and saddening to know that there are reports of delayed implementation, incomplete infrastructure, lack of equipment and even unused health facilities,” Go said.

An initiative of the Department of Health (DOH), SHCs are designed to bring primary health care closer to the people and help decongest hospitals.

Go said that construction of a health facility alone is meaningless if it cannot serve and benefit the people.

He said the purpose of government spendings is clear: every project must lead to accessible and functional health services.

During the hearing, the DOH said that of the 820 SHCs that have been funded, only 224 are fully-operational while 238 are not yet complete.

Go urged the DOH and local government units to coordinate with each other, to ensure that health facilities do not remain idle after construction is completed.