Senator Bong Go extended his support and encouragement to medical laboratory scientists who have played a crucial role in the country’s healthcare system during the 3rd National Summit of the Philippine Society of Medical Laboratory Scientists Inc. (PSMLS) held at Winford Hotel in Sta. Cruz, Manila City.
Go, who also serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, emphasized the importance of these professionals in ensuring accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
In his opening remarks, the legislator expressed his warm appreciation to the PSMLS for convening the summit, which he described as “a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and professional growth in the field of medical laboratory science”.
The lawmaker underscored the importance of such events in fostering collaboration and building a robust healthcare system.
The senator also acknowledged the significant contributions of the officers and board members of the PSMLS for their dedication and leadership.
Malasakit at Bayanihan Partylist Representative Tony Golez was also in attendance during the event.
In his speech, Go highlighted the crucial role of medical laboratory scientists in the healthcare system.
“We are fortunate to have dedicated and skilled medical laboratory scientists who play a crucial role in the healthcare system,” he said.
“Your expertise and commitment to accurate diagnosis and effective treatment have been invaluable, particularly during these challenging times,” Go added.
He shared some of the work he has been doing in the Senate to support medical laboratory scientists and other health workers.
“Isa po ako sa author at co-sponsor po ng Republic Act No. 11712 para sa pagbibigay ng Health Emergency Allowance sa healthcare workers.”
“Isa po ako sa author at co-sponsor po ng Republic Act No. 11712 para sa pagbibigay ng Health Emergency Allowance sa healthcare workers, kasama na dito ang medtech at medical laboratory scientists na assigned po sa mga COVID-19 hospitals at laboratories,” Go explained.
“Alam niyo po sa ilalim ng batas na ito, hindi na limitado sa mga directly exposed sa COVID-19 patients. Nung panahon po ng deliberation sa Senado, hindi po ako pumayag na yung sinasabi nilang ilang oras, ilang araw ka lang expose, yun lang po yung babayaran,” Go further detailed his efforts.
Furthermore, he discussed the necessity of prompt provision of death benefits to affected medical frontliners, revealing the frustration he felt during the early months of the pandemic when delays occurred.
Go’s initiatives in the Senate include not only direct support for healthcare workers but also broader legislation aimed at improving the healthcare sector. He mentioned his role as the author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of Malasakit Centers across the Philippines to assist needy Filipinos with their hospital bills.
“Gusto ko rin pong i-share sa inyo, as your chairman po ng Committee on Health, mayroon po akong tatlong priority. Una nang isinulong noong 2019 ito pong Malasakit Centers Act,” he said.
“Mayroon na ho tayong 158 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong po sa ating mga kababayan,” Go added.
Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
These one-stop shops aim to support particularly poor and indigent patients in reducing their hospital bills to the lowest possible amount.
To date, the centers have helped more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to the DOH.
“Tulong ito para sa mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan ng tulong medikal. Hindi na kailangan pumunta sa iba’t ibang opisina, lahat nasa isang lugar na. Ito ay isa sa mga solusyon sa mga problema ng ating mga kababayan na walang kakayahang magbayad ng malalaking halaga sa ospital,” he explained.
Go also shared that he is pushing for the establishment of Super Health Centers across the country, considering how they can significantly help reduce hospital occupancy rates while bringing government medical services closer to the grassroots.
“Sa 2022 magkakaroon po ng 307 na Super Health Center sa buong Pilipinas at sa year 2023, 322 po na Super Health Center.”
“Sa kakaikot ko po sa buong Pilipinas, marami pong walang sariling health center… Ngayon po isinulong natin, sa 2022 magkakaroon po ng 307 na Super Health Center sa buong Pilipinas at sa year 2023, 322 po na Super Health Center,” he shared.
Services offered in Super Health Centers include database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.
Finally, Go principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Senate Bill No. 2212, otherwise known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which was passed before the session break and is now awaiting the approval of the President before it can be enacted into law.
He explained that the Regional Specialty Centers bill aims to establish specialized medical facilities in all regions, thereby reducing the burden of traveling long distances and the associated costs for patients seeking specialized treatments.
To close his speech, Go reminded everyone that his office is always open to their concerns.
He expressed his dedication to working for the Filipino people to the best of his abilities, with a focus on prioritizing the country’s interests and aiding the less fortunate.
“Isa lang po ang (masisigurado) ko sa inyo, uunahin ko parati ang interes ng bayan at interes po ng mga kababayan natin na mahihirap. Yun po ang uunahin natin,” Go said.
“Maraming salamat sa inyo at tandaan po natin, minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung anuman pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede natin gawin sa ating kapwa, gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito. Ako po ang inyong Senador Kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil ako’y naniniwala na ang serbisyo po sa tao ay serbisyo po yan sa Diyos,” he concluded.
During the summit, Go and his team also distributed cellphones, bicycles, and pairs of shoes for select attendees. As a gesture of appreciation, all attendees were also provided with other tokens. He proceeded to San Rafael, Bulacan later that day to join the groundbreaking of its Super Health Center and aid indigents.
