Go lauds turnover of SHC in Surigao Norte

SEN. Christopher “Bong” Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, commended the local government of Claver, Surigao del Norte, and the Department of Health (DoH) for the successful turnover and blessing of the town’s super health center (SHC) on Wednesday, March 13.

Go expressed his confidence that the said health facility would be able to provide accessible health care services to the residents of Claver and neighboring communities.

“I will continue to support the establishment of more Super Health Centers in the country. With the existing Super Health Centers, we have seen how important these centers are to the communities, especially in the rural areas,” said Go in his video message.

The senator said SHCs are designed to focus on primary care, consultation and early detection, further strengthening the country’s health care sector, especially in grassroots communities. Free consultations would be handled by municipal health offices, local government units (LGUs) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. through its Konsulta program.

Through the collective efforts of the DoH led by

Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, LGUs and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated under the DoH for the construction of 307 super health centers in 2022; 322 in 2023; and 132 in 2024.

In the province, a total of 13 SHCs have been funded.

The senator also offered to help those in need of medical care as he encouraged them to visit Siargao Island Medical Center in Dapa and at Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City, where there is a Malasakit Center ready to assist with their medical expenses.

According to the DoH, 161 operational centers nationwide have benefited more than 10 million indigent patients.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Republic Act (RA) 11463, or the “Malasakit Centers Act of 2019,” which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.

The senator was also instrumental in the passage of RA 11500, which upgraded the Siargao District Hospital in Dapa, Surigao del Norte, into a Level 2 general hospital and increased its bed capacity from 50 to 100.

He also commended Vice Gov. Eddie Gokiangkee Jr., Mayor Georgie Gokiangkee and Vice Mayor Leah Patan, who were present during the event. JAVIER JOE ISMAEL