Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso welcomed Health Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado to Baseco to launch a joint influenza vaccination drive for senior citizens and other vulnerable groups, underscoring the city government’s commitment to public health under its Minimum Basic Needs (MBN) program.
The event, held at Amadome Court in Baseco, aimed to vaccinate 200 senior citizens as an initial rollout, with the DOH committing additional doses to be distributed in the coming weeks across Manila’s communities.
Domagoso expressed gratitude for the DOH’s presence in Baseco, noting that the visit coincided with a significant milestone at the new Baseco Hospital.
Under the mayor’s administration, the City Government equipped Baseco Hospital with a full complement of laboratory, operating room, and emergency room equipment as part of its ₱324-million medical equipment procurement program for 2026.
The DOH inspected the newly installed equipment, and the hospital is expected to receive its license to operate within days, after which it will be able to offer full hospital services to the Baseco community.
“Napakalaking bagay po ang DOH sa mga programa ng Lungsod ng Maynila.”
“Napakalaking bagay po ang DOH sa mga programa ng Lungsod ng Maynila,” Domagoso said, adding that the hospital currently serves nearly 200 patients daily seeking medicines and will soon be able to offer full hospital services to the community.
He also emphasized the city’s priority of caring for its elderly residents.
“Manawari naman sa huling sandali ng pamumuhay nila, maramdaman nila na mahal na mahal sila ng gobyerno ng Lungsod ng Maynila,” Domagoso said.
Mercado explained the joint activity is a demonstration of national and local government working together under the Universal Health Care or UHC framework, which seeks to ensure that all Filipinos have access to government health services.
“Ito pong pagbabakuna natin ngayon po ay isang pagpapatunay ng kolaborasyon ng national government sa ating local government,” the health chief said.
The health head added that the DOH’s list of free medicines available to Manileños will expand from 75 to 135 by next year, to include insulin, thyroxine, and family planning medicines.
He also assured the public that the influenza vaccine is safe and effective, with any side effects such as mild swelling at the injection site or a brief feeling of onset flu typically resolving within two days with paracetamol.
Vice Mayor Chi Atienza said the vaccination activity brought her particular joy, recalling her years of community work in Baseco before entering politics.
“Tuwang-tuwa ang aking puso dahil ngayong umaga, mukhang mapoproteksyunan ang aming mga lolo at lola,” Atienza said, crediting the Domagoso administration’s focus on expanding health access for Manileños.
OIC-City Health Officer Dr. Grace Padilla reported that out of 2,800 cases reported across private, national, and local government hospitals, 87 have been confirmed as influenza, underscoring the need for the vaccination drive.
Padilla also announced that the Manila Health Department (MHD) recently received seven awards for its local health system performance.
This covers several areas including good health practices, universal health care implementation, barangay health worker governance, and being the first local government unit to achieve 100 percent licensing of its primary care facilities.
“Hinihikayat ko kayo, ang bawat isa sa mga lolo at lola ko, na magpabakuna.”
“Ngayon po, hinihikayat ko kayo, ang bawat isa sa mga lolo at lola ko, na magpabakuna. Huwag po tayong matatakot dahil ito po ay ligtas, epektibo, at libre po na makukuha sa inyong mga health centers,” she said.
The flu vaccination drive is open to senior citizens, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, adults with comorbidities, and healthcare and frontline workers.
