Senator Bong Go welcomed the continued expansion of regional specialty centers and medical scholarship programs mentioned during the State of the Nation Address, saying these initiatives could bring advanced healthcare closer to Filipinos and strengthen the country’s medical workforce.
Go stressed that patients in the provinces should not have to travel to Metro Manila or other major cities to obtain specialized treatment for serious illnesses.
“Marami sa ating mga kababayan sa probinsya ang kailangang bumiyahe nang malayo para lamang magpagamot sa sakit sa puso, kanser, kidney disease at iba pang malubhang karamdaman,” the veteran legislator said.
“Mahalagang mailapit natin sa mga rehiyon ang mga serbisyong medikal na nangangailangan ng espesyal na pangangalaga.”
“Bukod sa mismong pagpapagamot, gumagastos pa sila sa pamasahe, pagkain at matutuluyan. Kaya mahalagang mailapit natin sa mga rehiyon ang mga serbisyong medikal na nangangailangan ng espesyal na pangangalaga,” the seasoned lawmaker added.
The SONA cited the continued development of specialty centers as part of efforts to improve hospitals and public healthcare services nationwide.
The senator said the expansion of regional specialty centers must be supported by trained medical specialists, modern equipment, sufficient medicines, and adequate funding.
“Hindi sapat na magkaroon lamang ng gusali o pangalan ang isang specialty center. Dapat mayroon itong sapat na mga espesyalista, kagamitan, gamot at pondong kailangan upang tuloy-tuloy nitong mapagsilbihan ang mga pasyente,” he said.
Go principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Republic Act No. 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The law mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing Department of Health regional hospitals.
The law seeks to improve access to advanced treatment for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, kidney ailments, neurological disorders, and other serious medical conditions.
“Layunin ng Regional Specialty Centers Act na hindi na kailangang lumuwas pa sa Maynila ang ating mga kababayan para lamang makatanggap ng mataas na antas ng gamutan,” he said.
“Dapat magkaroon ang bawat rehiyon ng sapat na kakayahan upang tugunan ang mga sakit na nangangailangan ng specialized care.”
“Dapat magkaroon ang bawat rehiyon ng sapat na kakayahan upang tugunan ang mga sakit na nangangailangan ng specialized care,” Go added.
He said the establishment of these centers would help ease the burden on patients and their families while also reducing congestion in major hospitals in Metro Manila.
Go emphasized that the implementation of the law must be closely monitored to ensure that specialty centers are fully operational and capable of delivering complete and reliable services.
“Dapat tiyakin nating ang mga specialty center ay hindi lamang nasa plano o papel. Kailangang aktwal itong nagagamit ng mga pasyente at may sapat na kakayahang magbigay ng de-kalidad na gamutan,” he said.
Go also highlighted the importance of expanding medical scholarships to address the shortage and uneven distribution of doctors and other healthcare professionals across the country.
The SONA reported that the number of medical scholars had more than doubled, with beneficiaries expected to serve in public hospitals after completing their education and training.
He said medical scholarships could open opportunities for deserving students who aspire to enter the medical profession but lack the financial means to pursue their studies.
“Maraming kabataang Pilipino ang may kakayahan at pangarap na maging doktor o health professional ngunit kapos sa kakayahang tustusan ang kanilang pag-aaral,” Go noted.
“Sa pamamagitan ng medical scholarships, nabibigyan natin sila ng pagkakataong makapagtapos habang nadaragdagan din ang mga propesyonal na maaaring maglingkod sa ating mga pampublikong ospital at komunidad,” he added.
He said scholarship programs should prioritize qualified students from provinces and underserved communities, especially those who are willing to return and serve in areas where medical personnel are most urgently needed.
Go likewise stressed that scholars must receive sufficient assistance throughout their education and proper support once they begin their required public service.
“Hindi dapat matapos ang suporta sa pagbibigay lamang ng scholarship. Pagkatapos nilang makapagtapos, dapat mayroon silang maayos na trabaho, sapat na sahod at benepisyo, at ligtas na kondisyon sa paglilingkod,” he said.
Go also called for stronger incentives to encourage doctors and other healthcare workers to remain in public service and accept assignments in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
These incentives, he said, may include adequate compensation, housing assistance, hazard pay, opportunities for further training and clear pathways for career advancement.
Go said the expansion of specialty centers must proceed alongside sustained efforts to train, deploy and retain medical professionals capable of operating them.
“Ang mga specialty center ay kailangang may sapat na doktor, nurse, medical technologist at iba pang health workers na may angkop na kasanayan,” he said.
“Kapag sabay nating pinalalakas ang mga pasilidad at ang ating healthcare workforce, mas magiging matatag at maaasahan ang serbisyong pangkalusugan sa buong bansa,” Go added.
He called for sustained funding and proper oversight to ensure that the expansion of regional specialty centers and medical scholarship programs produces measurable improvements in access to healthcare.
“Suportado natin ang pagpapalawak ng regional specialty centers at medical scholarships dahil direktang nakatutulong ang mga ito sa mga pasyente at sa kinabukasan ng ating healthcare system,” Go said.
“Patuloy nating isusulong ang isang sistemang pangkalusugan kung saan hindi magiging hadlang ang lokasyon o kakayahang pinansyal ng isang pasyente sa kanyang pagpapagamot,” he concluded.
