Marcos, DOH turn over 28 mobile clinics to Mindanao provinces

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos on Friday led the turnover of the 28 state-of-the-art mobile clinics to Mindanao provinces.

The turnover, held at the Manila North Harbor Port, marked the completion of the Department of Health's (DOH) program following earlier deliveries of mobile clinics to Luzon and Visayas provinces.

The mobile clinics will be shipped to Mindanao in two batches.

The mobile clinics aim to improve accessibility to primary care services and help with early diagnosis and management for individuals in isolated areas.

"Sa bawat mobile clinic ang dala natin ay higit pa sa medikal na serbisyo. Naghahatid din tayo ng dignidad, tiwala at pag-asa — pag-asa na sa kabila ng hirap na dulot ng malalayong lugar maabot sila ng pamahalaan," Marcos said.

(With every mobile clinic delivered we are not only bringing medical services but also dignity, trust and hope — hope for government reach despite being in a far-flung area.)

Upon seeing the interior of the mobile clinic, Marcos could not help but be impressed. 

"Nagulat nga ako, it's very impressive na pinagkasya nila lahat ng sophisticated equipment dito sa van na ito," he said.

(I was surprised and impressed that they were able to fit all sophisticated equipment inside this van.)

The mobile clinic, costing over P10 million each or a total of P830 million, is equipped with an X-ray machine, ECG device and other medical equipment. 

Among the recipients of the clinics are Region IX, Region X, Region XI, Region XII, Caraga, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

20 more eyed

For his part, DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa said the government is considering procuring more mobile clinics, noting that it is more cost effective than constructing a barangay health center.

"Kapag na-distribute ko na ito, dahil napaka-successful niya, bibili pa tayo ng another 20 kasi nga puwedeng mag-reorder in our Procurement Law," Herbosa told journalists. 

"Mas mura ito kesa nagtatayo ako ng barangay health center na wala naman tao, wala naman gamit. So ito magiging sagot natin sa malalayong kababayan natin, may access sa mga doktor, gamot at tests," he added.

(When all these have been distributed, and because the program has been very successful, we are going to procure another 20 because our Procurement Law allows reorders. This is more cost effective than constructing a barangay health center that neither has personnel nor equipment. Through this we can give residents of remote areas access to doctors, medicine and tests.) 

First Lady 

Meanwhile, toward the end of his speech, Marcos heaped praise on his wife, including her healthcare project dubbed "Lab For All," which provides free medical services to the public. 

"Ang project ni First Lady ay walang kinukuha sa national government kaya't hindi ko nalalaman ginagawa nila dahil hindi naman siya humihingi ng pera sa national government," Marcos said. 

"Marami siyang kaibigan na pinagsama-sama niya na tulungan niyo kami na gawin natin health project na ito," he added.

(The First Lady's project does not source its fund from the national government, that's why I have no idea about what they're doing. She has many friends that she tapped for this health project.)

Directly addressing Mrs. Marcos, the President said: "Liza, wala na 'kong sasabihin, tuloy mo lang ang ginagawa mo at ang laking tulong ng ginagawa mo dito sa ating healthcare system."

(Liza, I have no other message aside from for you to continue what you are doing because it's been a big help to our healthcare system.)

Also present during the event was Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. —KBK/RF, GMA Integrated News