Philippines breaks ground on Super Health Centers to enhance healthcare access
In a significant development, Bacoor City in Cavite, Philippines, recently celebrated the groundbreaking of its Super Health Center (SHC). This innovative healthcare facility, launched on 14th October, is poised to address the burgeoning healthcare needs of the city and elevate the provision of essential healthcare services, including primary care, medical consultations, and early disease detection for the city’s communities.
The Super Health Center in Bacoor City will serve as a central hub for a diverse range of healthcare services, including database management, outpatient care, birthing facilities, isolation units, and diagnostic services encompassing X-rays and ultrasounds. It will also feature a well-equipped pharmacy and an ambulatory surgical unit. The center will house specialized services such as eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) care, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation facilities, and telemedicine. Notably, these centers will also serve as satellite vaccination sites, ensuring that Filipinos living in remote areas have access to crucial immunization services, thereby promising improved healthcare access.
Meanwhile, in the CALABARZON region, which encompasses Cavite, the country established its first super health center back in 2021. The Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with the Ibaan local government unit (LGU) and various healthcare stakeholders, including private groups and industries, transformed the Ibaan Rural Health Unit into a comprehensive polyclinic or super health center. This facility sets a higher standard of care than regular rural health centers, providing essential healthcare services at the local level. It was inaugurated on November 17 in Barangay Talaibon, Ibaan, Batangas.
The super health center offers a wide range of services, including database management, outpatient care, tuberculosis (TB) directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS), birthing services, isolation units, diagnostic services (including X-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy services, and an ambulatory surgical unit. Specialized services such as eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) care, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and telemedicine for remote diagnosis and treatment are also available. Additionally, it will collaborate with the UP-PGH Department of Surgery and the Southern Tagalog Regional Hospital to provide more healthcare services.
Funding for the facility’s operations will come from the Annual Municipal Health Budget, Philhealth Capitation Fund, Income from E-konsulta, Pharmacy, and Laboratory services. The regional office will provide the initial investment capital funds, healthcare personnel, medicines, medical supplies, and other health commodities.
More SHCs are expected to emerge in various parts of the country as the national government aims to construct more than 600 SHCs nationwide.
Category: Community
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