TACLOBAN CITY – Establishing a ‘super health’ center alongside the existing rural health unit will significantly enhance local government efforts in providing minor medical interventions, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
For this to be sustainable, sufficient funding must be allocated for its maintenance, emphasized Dr. Antonio Ida, chief of the DOH Leyte Provincial Office, during the groundbreaking ceremony of the P12 million super health center in Matag-ob, Leyte on Feb. 28 .
“With a super health center, we can offer special diagnostic services like chest X-rays and ultrasound,” Dr. Ida stated, highlighting that this would reduce patients’ financial burden, particularly on transportation costs.
However, for the center to fully serve its purpose, the local government unit (LGU) must ensure adequate funding.
“That is why I urge the LGU of Matag-ob, Mayor Bernie (Tacoy), and the municipal officials to allocate funds to properly maintain this Super Health Center,” Ida appealed.
The Matag-ob super health center is among several similar facilities funded by the DOH across the region.
Mayor Tacoy welcomed this call for support, expressing plans to purchase medical equipment such as an X-ray machine, basic laboratory equipment, and a dialysis machine.
He hopes that partners like the DOH, Senator Bong Go, and Tingog party list will assist in funding these vital additions.
“We truly want to procure these, and we will seek help from our partners. This facility will not only benefit Matag-ob residents but also those from neighboring towns,” Mayor Tacoy said.
The construction of the Matag-ob super health center is expected to be completed within three months. It is one of 20 facilities funded by the DOH under its Health Facilities Enhancement Program.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
