First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos led the turnover ceremony of 16 “Bagong Pilipinas” Mobile Clinics to 16 provinces across Regions VI, VII, and VIII, marking a significant step in enhancing healthcare services in the Visayas.
The turnover ceremony, hosted by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia at the Capitol Compound, was a key highlight of the 455th founding anniversary celebration of Cebu Province.
The event was also graced by Health Secretary Dr. Teodoro Herbosa and Undersecretary Dr. Glenn Mathew Baggao.
Prominent provincial leaders present included Siquijor Governor Jake Villa; Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone; Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado; Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.; Guimaras Governor JC Rahman Nava; Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson; Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores; Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado; as well as the provincial health officers of these various provinces.
In his opening remarks, Secretary Herbosa emphasized the significance of conducting the distribution in Cebu, praising the province’s leading status in the Philippines.
“Where else do we do it, but here in the Province of Cebu where Governor Gwen is the number one governor,” said Secretary Herbosa.
The mobile clinics, equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, are set to visit various barangays across the provinces, providing residents with free medical services including X-ray, ultrasound, and blood screening. Each clinic is equipped with an ultrasound examination light, reagent refrigerator, binocular microscope, stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, clinical centrifuge, hematocrit centrifuge, hematology analyzer, handheld electrolyte analyzer, and a telemedicine set.
During her speech, First Lady Araneta-Marcos announced plans to extend this initiative further.
“Ang pangako din ng asawa ko, next year all municipalities naman all over the province,” she stated, promising the distribution of Bagong Pilipinas Mobile Clinics to all municipalities and cities across the Philippines in the coming year.
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and delivering essential medical services to communities in need, reflecting a concerted effort to uplift the quality of life for the Visayans. I Jude Torres