Go bats for improved public health services
SENATE Committee of Health and Demography Chairman Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally joined the celebration of World Liver Day at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Quezon City last April 19, 2024.
In his speech, Senator Go talked about the success of the Pediatric Access to Liver Transplant (Paslit) program which he initiated during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The program has significantly benefitted numerous children and is part of a broader consortium involving the Office of the President, the Department of Health, PCMC, and The Medical City (TMC). This collaboration provides comprehensive medical support for pediatric liver patients, enhancing the country’s capacity for life-saving transplant procedures.
Highlighting the event were the touching accounts of two recipients of the Paslit program. The first, Sophie Aguilo, a six-year-old diagnosed with biliary atresia, underwent a successful liver transplant on November 17, 2020. As the first patient-beneficiary of the program and one of the few liver transplant recipients at TMC, Sophie had her regular follow-ups at PCMC and was reported to have no complaints during her last check-up last February 14.
The second story shared was that of threeyear-old Gianna Visto, also diagnosed with biliary atresia, who received her liver transplant last February 22 at TMC with her mother as the donor. Gianna is reportedly doing well post-operation.
“This Paslit program is only available here in the Philippines. Between Medical City, PCMC and DOH, we already have two success stories I felt some tightness in my chest when I saw them earlier. However, when I learned of their success stories, it made me feel a little better because there is hope and we can help more patients because of this program,” shared Go in an interview.
In line with his advocacy for improved public health services especially for the poor, Go explained that the reason for the program is to enhance medical training programs and services for treating liver diseases such as biliary atresia in the country.
“I was frequent visitor of PCMC before. There were a lot of parents who bring their children here to seek treatment. The parents beg for help. But we cannot balme them because some of them what to have their procedure done abroad like in India. It is cheaper there,” Go said, citing how Paslit program started.
With this, he stressed the importance of local treatment options to prevent patients from seeking medical attention abroad, thereby making healthcare more accessible and timely for Filipino children.
“Now, they have a choice. They have a choice to be treated in the Philippines. We have a lot of very good and well-trained doctors. We already have many good facilities like PCMC and we already have private hospitals like The Medical City. This is the reason why we came up with the program so that there is hope for them,” he shared.
The head of TMC’S Liver Disease Management and Transplantation, Dr. Vanessa de Villa appreciated Senator Go for supporting the Paslit program.
“I am very thank for this because it is true to your mandate that you promote this program and promote Filipino healthcare. You could have extended financial assistance so that patients can seek treatment abroad. That, however, will not help the Philippines’ progress,” Dr. de Villa explained.
“And I will speak for myself, from my hospital. It is an important matter that we think of our country, we think for the Filipinos. Let’s think of who we should be helping—our fellow Filipinos or foreigners? We can achive all this if we come together and help each other,” Dr. de Villa further shared.
During his visit, Go extended financial assistance, grocery packs, basketballs and volleyballs to select patients. Meanwhile, his Malasakit Team organized a feeding program for the hospital’s patients and watchers.