ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- Residents of at least six coastal and island villages of Nueva Valencia town in Guimaras need not go far to have access to a healthcare facility with the soon-to-rise Super Health Center (SHC).

The provincial government of Guimaras, together with the Department of Health (DOH)- Center for Health Development Western Visayas, held a ground-breaking ceremony for the Super Health Center, which will cater to the healthcare needs of residents of barangays Cabalagnan, La Paz, Igdarapdap, Canhawan, Panobolon, and Guiwanon.

Nueva Valencia Mayor Paul Vincent De La Cruz said the Super Health Center is a fulfillment of their dream to have a healthcare facility in the southern part of their town.

"This will help us achieve sang isa sa gin-identify naton (of the one we have identified) under our six-point agenda which is the upscaling of government service delivery," he added.

This is also one way to decongest the rural health unit of Nueva Valencia, according to De La Cruz.

DOH-CDC Western Visayas Director Dr. Adriano P. Suba-an said the SHC will help attain the shared vision that all Filipinos should be among the healthiest in Asia by 2040 and will speak for the delivery of quality healthcare services.

Minor cases will be treated in the Super Health Center, while Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Provincial Hospital (DCGNPH) will treat urgent and severe cases.

The new SHC in Nueva Valencia is the second SHC in the province, the first is in Cansilayan in the town of Buenavista, which will offer services like laboratory, x-ray, and ultrasound, among others.                                 

The local government unit identifies the area where the super health center will be built and submits it to DOH for feasibility assessment. (AAL/LAF/PIA6-Iloilo)