Press Release - Bong Go highlights impact of Malasakit Centers, Super Health Centers, and Regional Specialty Centers in bringing public health services closer to Filipinos

In an interview with DZRH's "Balansyado" on Tuesday, December 26, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go elaborated on the accomplishments and plans for Malasakit Centers, the establishment of more Super Health Centers, and the newly enacted Regional Specialty Centers Act.

Go began by discussing the Malasakit Centers, which he championed since 2018. These centers are one-stop shops for convenient access to medical assistance programs. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.

"Batas naman po ito na isinulong natin noong 2019, na-institutionalized po siya. One-stop shop naman po ang Malasakit Center. Nasa loob na ho ng hospital ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno tulad ng PhilHealth, PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office), DOH (Department of Health), at DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development," said Go.

"So nakasalalay na po 'yan sa DOH... dahil sila naman po ang may mandato na mag-implementa nito at may pondo kasama ang iba't ibang ahensya ng gobyerno. Ang importante po ay huwag po nating pahirapan ang Pilipino dahil unang-una, pera po ng Pilipino 'yan. Dapat ibalik agad sa kanila sa mabilis na paraan lalo na pagdating sa tulong pangkalusugan. Iyan po ang Malasakit Center," he emphasized.

The 159 Malasakit Centers across the country have served around 10 million patients according to DOH. Malasakit Centers are aimed at supporting impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.

Go also highlighted the role of Super Health Centers, which serve as medium-sized polyclinics, especially beneficial for localities still lacking healthcare facilities.

"Hindi lang po sa Malasakit (Center) ang aking isinusulong. 'Yung mga Super Health Centers, iba rin po ito. Ang Super Health Center po is a medium type of a polyclinic. Noon po naisipan natin noong 2021 'yan, dahil sa kakaikot ko sa buong Pilipinas, marami pong mga munisipyo--4th, 5th, 6th class municipalities--ang wala pong sariling health center. 'Yung mga buntis, nanganganak sa tricycle," Go remarked.

"Ngayon po, ang ikinaganda po ng Super Health Center, inilapit