In a press release shared by the Senate of the Philippines, a few months following a tragic incident in a Cebu City locality, the relief efforts led by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go still resonate deeply within the community where dental health was brought to the forefront of attention as the community recovered from the incident.
On 18 Jan, a severe fire in Barangay Quiot Pardo disrupted the lives of residents, affecting house owners, renters, sharers, and a lodger. There were no fatalities, and the community found a haven at Quiot Elementary School.
Go’s team provided immediate aid to address essential needs on 21 Jan to set a foundation for recovery. The Senator’s unique approach to disaster relief, coupled with his enduring commitment to holistic recovery, was felt by the affected residents. Beyond this immediate relief, Go’s response highlighted an often-ignored aspect of disaster recovery: the importance of dental health.
During the relief activity shortly after the disaster, the plea for dental care was unexpectedly brought to light by Alena Cereño, a 57-year-old long-term resident of Quiot, who lost her dentures in the chaos of the fire which affected 35 families. Several others in her community supported her brave request during Go’s visit, spotlighting a common but underreported need.
Go mobilised resources to provide necessary dental care, ensuring that those like Alena did not just receive temporary aid but were supported through their journey to full recovery. This included repeated dental clinic visits for check-ups, tooth extractions, and denture fittings, complemented by transportation and meals for each visit. Months later, the impact of this initiative continues to be a testament to Go’s vision for a recovery that caters to disaster victims’ physical and emotional well-being.
Dental health was brought to the forefront during a recent health committee hearing initiated by Go on 20 May, where the stark reality of dental health challenges in the country was discussed. It was revealed that 7 out of 10 Filipinos suffer from dental problems, yet access to necessary dental care remains a significant hurdle, especially for the impoverished.
The hearing spurred Go to advocate for broader healthcare coverage to include dental services within the government’s Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) program. He appealed to the Department of Health that amendments may be made to existing regulations, suggesting that affordable dentures should be made accessible through medical assistance, considering sufficient budget allocation made for the medical assistance program for indigent patients.
Health secretary Teodoro Herbosa detailed ongoing efforts to revitalise dental health services, highlighting initiatives such as providing dental buses to various local government units. He also emphasised that efforts to strengthen dental services began during his tenure as undersecretary, including reinstating the oral health program as part of these renewed efforts.
To bring dental care closer to communities, Go also highlighted efforts to establish more Super Health Centers in various communities nationwide to complement existing healthcare facilities, helping to relieve the strain on overcrowded hospitals and clinics, particularly in rural areas.
The Super Health Center is set to provide basic healthcare services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, dental, isolation, diagnostic, pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centres, physical therapy and rehabilitation centres, and telemedicine.
Through the collective efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, LGUs and the DOH, sufficient funds had been allocated for more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide.
