ANOTHER super health center, this time, for the residents of Sampaloc, will soon rise in Manila, bringing to six the number of such centers built under the administration of Mayor Honey Lacuna since she assumed office in 2022.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Lacuna cited the support of Congressman Edward Maceda (4th district), whose office helped with the project, stressing the Maria Clara Super Health Center in Sampaloc is another proof that if the national and local government work in hand in hand, anything is achievable.
“Ayoko na po kasi talaga mangutang… kaya kinulit ko si Congressman Edward Maceda at di naman po siya nagdalawang-isip,” Lacuna said, as she vowed that she and Maceda are already talking about completing the facilities in the said center and in apparent reference to the P17.8 billion debt left behind by the previous city administration.
“Ito ay pinondohan ni Congressman Edward Maceda at maitatayo sa tulong ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) na isang ahensya ng national government. Kami naman sa lokal na pamahalaan ang siyang magtitiyak na may sapat na kagamitan ang maitatayong bagong Maria Clara Health Center,” she stressed, adding that the residents of fourth district are fortunate that while Congressman Maceda’s term ends, his wife Giselle, also a lady doctor, will be taking over his place.
Joined by Manila Health Department chief Dr. Arnold Pangan, Councilor Science Reyes, candidate for Councilor Bong Marzan and Maria Clara Health Center physician-in-charge- Dr. Gerardo Benitez, Lacuna said: “Magmula po naman nang ako’y pagtiwalaan ninyo na maging punong lungsod, naging pangunahing prayoridad natin ang pagtitiyak na mapangalagaan ang kalusugan ng bawat mamamayan. Isinulong natin ang maayos na pagpapatupad ng Universal Health Care Act sa lahat ng sulok ng lungsod at pinataas natin ang antas ng kalidad ng serbisyo at pinalakas natin ang kanilang kapasidad na maibigay ang nararapat na primary health care sa bawat Manilenyo,” she said.
She added: “Inuunti-unti po nating maipaayos ang apatnapu’t apat nating health center sa buong Maynila. At di rin po tayo nahihiyang manghingi ng tulong mula sa ating mga congressman upang sila ang maghanap ng pondo na magagamit sa pagpapaayos ng ating mga pasilidad,” she added.
Lacuna said that the super health center will have a better, improved and more complete set of facilities that include, among others, basic laboratory equipment, ECG, x-ray, ultrasound for pregnant women.
“Yang mga basic laboratory procedure ay kayang-kaya nang isagawa dito pa lang sa health center, nang sa gayun ay di na kakailanganing pumila pa ang pasyente sa mga ospital. Magkakaroon din dito ng maayos na silid para sa mga libreng konsultasyon at karampatang storage para sa mga gamot na maipamamahagi sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na yung regular maintenance medicines ng ating mga lolo at lola,” Lacuna added.
