Underscoring the importance of a robust healthcare system, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday called on government agencies and organizations conducting medical missions in isolated and disadvantaged areas to secure the medical records of the patients receiving medical care to track their progress and health status.
“At aking naging karanasan sa probinsya namin ay ito ang unang pagkakataon na ang bawat pasyente ay magkaroon ng medical record… So, I think we must include that as an important part of this na para doon sa area na ‘yan, ‘yung mga hindi masyado, medyo malayo at hindi masyadong makapunta sa ospital, magkaroon ng medical record para habang tumatagal ang panahon nakikita kung sila ba’y lumalala ang sakit o gumagaling naman o nagka-kumplikasyon,” President Marcos said during the turnover ceremony of Bagong Pilipinas Mobile Clinics at the North Harbor Port in Manila.
“Para makita ‘yung record nila sa nakaraan, doon sa health status nila… Very important part dahil marami sa mga tauhan natin, marami sa mga kababayan natin, hanggang ngayon walang medical record. Matatanda na sila pero wala silang medical record. Pagpasok nila sa ospital, magpapatingin man sila ay ‘yung doktor at saka ‘yung mga staff ng mga ospital ay tinitingnan pa rin starting from square one, ‘ikaw nga.”
The President stressed that under Bagong Pilipinas, every life is important, and every Filipino patient must receive appropriate medical care.
An effective and efficient healthcare system is vital, the President said, noting the country’s economic achievements would not matter if its people are without any healthcare system to provide their medical needs.
“Napakahalaga ng ating healthcare system at ‘yan po ay hindi po maaaring maging masaya kung ikaw ay may sakit, kung hindi mo alam kung ano ‘yung karamdaman mo, kung papaano mo gagamutin,” the President said.
“Kaya’t ‘yan po ay isa sa pinakamahalagang bagay sa ating ginagawa sa pamahalaan ngayon na makatulong sa healthcare system, na lahat ng mahihirap na leksyon na natutunan natin noong pandemya ay gagamitin natin para tayo ay maghanda kung mayroong sakali mang susunod na ganyan,” he added.
The President said the Mobile Primary Care Facilities (MPCF), or mobile clinics, aim to provide essential medical assistance and healthcare services to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), or areas with underserved populations.
In line with Republic Act No. 11223, or the Health Sector 8-Point Action Agenda, and the Philippine Development Plan 2020-2040, the deployment of the mobile clinics is expected to improve the people’s accessibility to primary care services and help medical professionals with early diagnosis and management of health conditions.
It will also strengthen the local health system and increase healthcare capacity.
The Department of Health (DOH) has procured 83 mobile clinics with a per unit cost of PhP10 million. They will be distributed to 28 provinces in Mindanao. PND
