Having no hospital in their village, the family traveled 25 kilometers away from their house on January 3, boarding a “bao-bao” vehicle to reach the nearest private health institution. The 30-minute ride was dreadful for Arbeth Pagnausan.

After a thorough examination, doctors told Pagnausan that his son had pneumonia. They were advised on its proper treatment and were prescribed medicine.

Even with medicines, Pagnausan still saw no manifestation of improvement in their child’s health. On January 5, they again embarked on another 30-kilometer journey to Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center, where they decided to have their child admitted for observation and treatment.

After days of staying in the medical center, their son got cured of pneumonia and was sent home by the doctors.

Groundbreaking of a Super Health Center

Upon knowing that a Super Health Center will be constructed just beside their block, Pagnausan is optimistic that soon they will no longer travel kilometers away to avail of free and more advanced medical services.

“Mas tipid ni ug dili na kaayo mi mabalaka pa kay duol nalang ni (This is more economical and less worry (in times of sickness in the family) since the facility is just nearby,” Pagnausan said.

On January 26, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go led the groundbreaking ceremony of the third Super Health Center in Barangay Dawan, Mati City.

“Pwede pa ni butangan og dialysis puhon sa LGU or unsa man klaseng serbisyo medikal pwede pa mahatag sa katawhan (The local government unit can add dialysis services soon or any other medical services that the people might need),” Go added.

The Super Health Center in Barangay Dawan is the third of its kind to be built in Mati City. The other two are in Barangay Central and in Barangay Dahican.

The senator said that around 12 Super Health Centers will be established in the province of Davao Oriental.

On the sidelines of the program, Pagnausan is so thankful to the government and to Senator Go for bringing health services closer to them.

“Pasalamat jud mi kay gidulit sa among tugkaran ang kining facility (We are thankful that this facility was brought right to our doorstep),” she said. (MLU/PIA Davao Oriental, with photo from Senator Bong Go Facebook page)