Speaking to around 500 community health workers at the town’s garinasium after the groundbreaking, Go described the super health centers as bigger than rural health centers and smaller than the hospitals.

He said the super health center will be equipped with laboratory facilities, a minor operating emergency room, pharmacy, birthing facilities, out-patient department, dental services,  PhilHealth outpatient department and other minor services.

According to Go, who is also the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, super health centers will also be established in other areas in Iloilo such as in the municipalities of Anilao, Igbaras, Maasin, Pavia and Sara and the city of Iloilo.

San Joaquin Municipal Administrator Leo Satana said the P15-million worth project will be funded under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the Department of Health. Of the P15-million fund, the P10 million is allotted to the construction of the building while the P5 million for the equipment.

Satana said 35 villages especially in the upland areas will stand to benefit from the super health center. 

“It will touch the lives of 20,000 individuals, more or less,” said Satana. 

On the other hand, Go encouraged those who are unvaccinated to get vaccinated as well those who have not received their booster shots to get them as he stressed the significance of vaccination to getting back to normalcy.