Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan led the groundbreaking event for the new super health center (SHC) to be established in Barangay 28 on Wednesday, August 02. The said SHC is intended to be an improved version of normal health centers complete with laboratories and mobile X-ray services.
The event was also attended by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and Caloocan City Representatives District 1 Cong. Oscar “Oca” Malapitan and District 2 Cong. Mitch Cajayon-Uy.
Mayor Along expressed his gratitude to the national and local officials for helping the city government in bringing accessible health services to the people.
“Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa DOH, kay Cong. Mitch Cajayon-Uy, at kay Senator Bong Go sa pagpapakita ng kanilang pagmamahal sa mga Batang Kankaloo. Ang super health center po na ito ay isang welcome addition para sa mga taga-Caloocan,” Mayor Along said.
He also recognized the problem of overcrowding in local hospitals and declared that the new SHC, along with the new health centers to be established by the local government, can effectively solve this problem by bringing the service closer to his constituents.
“Nakita po natin noong panahon ng pandemya na kahit may mga available tayong ospital, nagiging siksikan at umaapaw pa rin dahil sa dami ng mga pasyente. Ngayon po, kahit na patapos na ang pandemya, mas magandang maging handa pa rin ang Lungsod ng Caloocan,” the Mayor stated.
“Bilang ama ng lungsod, prayoridad po natin ang maganda at maayos na kalusugan ng mga Batang Kankaloo. Kaya naman sa tulong ng bagong SHC na ito, kasama pa ng ibang ipapatayo nating mga center, mailalapit na ang serbisyo sa inyo,” the local chief executive added.
DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa echoed Mayor Along’s sentiments and revealed that the main reason why SHCs were established is to provide a solution to the congestion in hospitals.
“Sa isang Super Health Center, 80-90% na ng mga karamdaman na dinadaing ng mga Pilipino ay maayos na natin. Kaya po tama si Mayor Along, mababawasan ang siksikan at congestion sa mga ospital,” Sec. Herbosa stated.
More SHCs are being planned to be built in different parts of the city, including Deparo, Calaanan, and Brgy. 188.