Another Super Health Center breaks ground in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — A Super Health Center broke ground recently in Labangon, Cebu City as Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go continues to push for better healthcare access for poor Filipinos.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has complimented the local government of Cebu City, including the office of Congressman Eduardo “Edu” Rama, Mayor Michael Rama, Vice Mayor Raymond Garcia, and City Health Officer, Dr. Daisy Villa, among others, for its efforts to bring the government’s health services closer to their constituents in need.

The groundbreaking is part of the local and national government’s commitment to make healthcare more accessible to its residents.

The senator emphasized the importance of providing vital healthcare services, especially in remote and underprivileged communities, and underscored the suitability of Super Health Centers in addressing their basic healthcare needs.

“Ipagpatuloy natin na ilapit ang serbisyong medikal sa ating mga kababayang mahihirap na walang matakbuhan kung hindi ang gobyerno. Para sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan, napakaimportante po nito dahil iyan po ang kanilang lalapitan po talaga, itong mga government facilities natin. The more we should support it, the more na mag-invest po tayo sa ating healthcare system,” said Go, in a statement.

The Super Health Centers will offer a range of healthcare services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit.

Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine, through which remote diagnosis and treatment of patients are made possible.

Meanwhile, Go congratulated the local government unit of Lapu-Lapu City for their 14-newly acquired multipurpose vehicles which he advocated for to be funded in the past years.

These will be used as ambulances and rescue vehicles to serve the healthcare needs of the city especially in remote and island barangays.

According to Go, the acquisition of these multipurpose vehicles is a testament to the LGU’s commitment to the welfare of its constituents.

He further emphasized that investments in these areas would not only benefit Lapu-Lapu City but would have a positive ripple effect across the entire province.

“Nagpapakita ito ng ating dedikasyon sa pagpapabuti ng kalusugan at imprastruktura hindi lamang sa Lapu-Lapu City kundi sa buong lalawigan ng Cebu. Sinusuportahan ko ang pagsulong ng mga ganitong inisyatibo para mapabuti ang serbisyo sa mga komunidad lalo na pagdating sa kalusugan,” the senator said.

Go stressed the importance of focusing on healthcare and infrastructure development in local communities as fundamental building blocks for progress.

“Huwag nating kalimutan na ang kalusugan ay kayamanan, kaya the more we should invest in our healthcare system,” he further said.

Ginhawang barangay

Meanwhile, over 500 patients, mostly elders, women and children, in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City received help from a drugstore via Ginhawang Barangayan yesterday.

Generika Drugstore, which spearheaded the event, brought with them P50,000 worth of medicines and vitamins and giveaways.

Generika had also been to other parts of the country as a way of giving back to the people, especially those in need.

The City Health Department also sent around 15 doctors, nurses, nutritionist and dietician along with some help from the private sector.

International Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (IPI) also joined the event and gave out gift packs and goodies plus free massage service to some of the beneficiaries as relayed by City Councilor Rey Gealon to The Freeman. The office of Gealon facilitated the activity.

“It is our humble way of paying it forward to the least of our brethren from the biggest barangay in the city, especially this Christmastime, a time for giving, sharing and loving - the reason for the season. Our gratitude goes to the president and officers of Generika Drugstore who personally graced the momentous event, with the special appearance of the Hon. Congressman Edu Rama who spoke of his inspiring message to the attendees,” Gealon said.

Following the successful medical mission, Gealon hopes to duplicate it to another barangay as well.

“I look forward to another edition of our medical mission in another barangay in the months to come,” Gealon said. — (FREEMAN)