Vico Sotto to strengthen barangay health centers

MANILA, Philippines — In order to implement the Universal Health Care more efficiently, Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto said Tuesday he wants to strengthen the city’s barangay health centers.

“We want to be partners with the Department of Health [DOH] in implementing the Universal Health Care dito po sa ating lungsod. Isa sa mga pinakaimportanteng gagawin natin ay ‘yung pagpapalakas ng ating mga barangay health centers,” Sotto said in a press conference.

Sotto pointed out the importance of primary health care in addressing the concerns of the citizens before going straight to the hospital.

“Kanina napagusapan hga po namin ni [DOH] Secretary [Francisco] Duque ‘yung kahalagahan ng malakas na barangay health centers para mapalakas din po ang ating primary health care. Bago pa po pumunta sa ospital, bago pa lumala ang mga sakit, noon pa lang sa barangay health center dapat naasikaso na ‘yung mga major na problema,” Sotto said.

Among the things Sotto wanted to improve were the presence of health care staff, doctors, nurses and medications inside the barangay health center.

“Kasama po dito ‘yung pagsisiguro na meron tayong sapat na health care staff, doctor, nars, mga barangay health workers po natin laging kumpleto sa mga barangay health care centers and kasama po ‘yung gamot,” Sotto said.

“Siguraduhin po natin na laging may gamot, ‘yung mga basic na kailangan po ng ating mga mamamayan sa Pasig ay nandoon sa mga barangay health centers,” he added.

Prior to becoming mayor, Sotto has indicated that his top priority for Pasig city was its health care system.

Over 500 students were earlier vaccinated against measles, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria (MRTD) at Pasig Elementary School.

Several female students were also given shots of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine which helps protect from cervical cancer.

This was part of DOH’s school-based immunization program aiming to reach more children and protect them against vaccine-preventable diseases.