Chinese envoy turns over 8 mobile clinics worth P90 million to Phl government

MANILA, Philippines – The poor and elderly nationwide can look forward to better access to health care in the coming year with the availability of eight new mobile clinics for the use of government-run hospitals.

In simple rites held at the Department of Health (DOH) main office in Manila yesterday, Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao officially turned over the eight mobile clinics worth P90 million to the Philippine government.

The donation was part of the Chinese government’s thrust to assist neighboring countries in addressing the problems of access to health care, especially among the marginalized sectors.

Receiving the donation, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said, “These mobile clinics would definitely benefit the poor and the vulnerable group – women, children and elderly who do not have immediate access to health care services,” noting that the government would maximize its use to help more people in far-flung areas.

Ona noted that each mobile clinic is equipped with ECH machine, digital ultrasonic diagnostic facility, urine hematology, biochemistry analyzers and other modern medical equipment that would enable the government to deliver basic health care services.

He said the mobile clinics would serve as ancillary services to the operations of the selected regional hospitals, especially in the hard to reach and remote areas where people have no access to medical services.

The DOH had initially identified the regional hospitals that would get the mobile clinics, but Ona said they would have to finalize the guidelines to ensure that the staff can go around the area for treatment as well as promote other programs of public health.

“In essence, it is going to be given to a regional hospital or to areas where they can be used to the maximum and at the same time, capable of maintaining it and making sure that it is well-maintained,” he said.

Ona noted that a team of experts is set to arrive from China in mid-January to train the local medical staff who will be manning the mobile clinics.

Liu was elated that the Chinese government, through its donation, would be able to help the Philippine government provide basic health care and health education for people in rural areas.

He noted that he had never seen a mobile clinic before because they do not have one in China.

Ona said the donation was clear testimony of the cordial relations between the Philippines and China. Both Ona and Liu expressed hope that the good relations between the two countries would continue through the next hundred years.

Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who witnessed the turnover ceremony, said the mobile clinics would be a great help in enabling the Philippine government to address the major problem of inaccessibility of public health care.

“This is a big contribution considering that one of the country’s major problems is access to basic health care services, not only for people in far-flung areas but even to those who are living in urban centers,” Belmonte said. –Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)