Former Davao City lawmaker Karlo Nograles on Thursday emphasized the need to have more mobile clinics and well-equipped barangay health centers in the city to improve access to healthcare for its residents, especially those who live far from the city center.
“The health of Davaoeños needs to be looked after, including those who live on its outskirts. Lahat ng kababayan natin, mayaman o mahirap, takot magkasakit. But lack of easier access to health facilities discourages residents from seeking health services. Ang nangyayari dahil dito, lumalala ang sakit sa halip na naaagapan,” Nograles said.
Aside from individual-based health services in the form of mobile clinics and health centers, Nograles said that there should also be heavy investments in population-based primary health care that would protect communities against the threat of infectious diseases and promote their general well-being.
“Pagdating sa kalusugan, dapat walang maiwan na Davaoeño.”
The longtime public servant pointed out that improved access to city government-funded health facilities would allow Davaoeños to tend to their health concerns without apprehension that these would entail additional costs and time.
He explained that “it will be easier to promote public health and convince the people to look after their health if they see City Hall in action within their own communities. Kailangan maramdaman ang health programs ng City Hall, kailangan malaman ng mga Davaoeño that there are mobile clinics and health centers within reach so they can save time and money while caring for their health.”
Aside from individual-based health services in the form of mobile clinics and health centers, Nograles said that there should also be heavy investments in population-based primary health care that would protect communities against the threat of infectious diseases and promote their general well-being.
The former Civil Service Commission head said that as a prime city, “Davao needs to be a leading light in public health,” as he underscored the importance of digitalizing health records for easier management, a comprehensive epidemiologic surveillance system to detect threats to public health, and proactive campaigns and programs on health promotion.
Nograles added that Davao City should continue to improve on areas such as child and maternal health and mortality, immunization, prevention and response to non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and kidney and liver disease, as well as the promotion of wellness and an active and healthy lifestyle.
“Public health is crucial in improving our way of life, and has practical and positive effects not only on a familial basis, but also on the government’s resources. Our goal should not only be to treat illness, but to prevent it,” stressed Nograles.
“If families are healthy, they can use more of their budgets for food, housing, and education. Meanwhile, it is cheaper in the long run for governments to spend on preventive measures instead of responding to individual and widespread illnesses.”
