Residents and clients of the Residential Care Facilities in Brgy. Labangon, Cebu City avail of the free medical services during the medical mission conducted by the Saint Anthony Mother and Child Hospital. (Photo from DSWD)
CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas has partnered with Saint Anthony Mother and Child Hospital (SAMCH) to provide free healthcare services to clients of DSWD-run facilities.
According to DSWD regional director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero, SAMCH reached out to their office on how members of the vulnerable group who are staying in DSWD-run facilities can avail of free medical services.
“We are grateful that SAMCH reached out to us for this partnership. Healthcare is a service we cannot provide ourselves for those who come in contact with our facilities. Hence, we thank them for this gesture,” Lucero said.
Lucero said the partnership will benefit the vulnerable groups such as Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), abused and exploited women and girls, and abandoned or neglected children.
SAMCH will offer free healthcare services, including regular pediatric and obstetric-gynecological consultations, vaccinations, screening tests, and preventive healthcare programs.
Under the partnership, SAMCH will provide the services in DSWD facilities.
“These provisions will be on regular medical missions inside the facilities of DSWD. They are provided with free, quality healthcare services inside the Reception and Study Center for Children, Home for Girls, Regional Haven for Women, and Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center II in Brgy. Labangon, Cebu City,” explained Lucero.
SAMCH medical officer and public health unit head Benjamin B. Balaoro said the partnership aligns with the Philippine government’s efforts to implement the Universal Health Care Law, particularly on the preventive aspect.
“This community engagement program is a significant step toward reaching more vulnerable sectors in the society. When we identified this opportunity, we immediately proposed bringing healthcare services to the residents of DSWD-run facilities,” Balaoro said. (HFG/PIA7 with reports from DSWD 7)
