By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday pledged that the current administration would make sure that the “Lab for All” Project, which offers free medical services to Filipinos in need, will reach the 7,063 geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) in the country.
During the Lab for All caravan at the Rizal High School in Pasig City, Marcos said the project, spearheaded by no less than First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, aims to bridge the gap in the country’s health care system.
“Ang kalusugan po ay kayamanan. Walang silbi ang lahat ng yaman kung hindi maayos ang ating kalusugan. Ngunit para sa mga kapus-palad nating kababayan, higit na mas malaking pagsubok ang pagkakasakit, lalo na ang mga nasa malalayong lugar,” Marcos said.
“Kaya po ang mga proyekto tulad nitong Lab for All ay isang napakalaking tulong para sa ating mga kababayan. Layunin nito ang makapaghatid ng maaasahang serbisyong medikal para sa lahat, lalong-lalo na sa mga pinakanangangailangan,” he added.
Marcos said the Lab for All Project would benefit Filipinos who are most in need, especially senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and people who are immunocompromised.
The Lab for All is a priority project of the First Lady, who was also present during the caravan in Pasig City.
The project aims to make health care accessible to Filipinos, especially those who are from indigenous communities, by delivering laboratory and medical services.
It facilitates the donation of mobile vans equipped with top-of-the-line medical equipment, such as X-ray machines, ultrasound, portable urine analyzers, glucose monitors, and cholesterol monitors.
During the event, Marcos and the First Lady turned over three Lab for All mobile laboratories to the municipality of Sta. Catalina in Ilocos Sur, Tacloban City, and Pasig City.
The Lab for All caravan has been conducted in 35 areas nationwide since it was launched in May 2023.
Aside from medical services, the Lab for All caravan also offers other government services, including scholarship grants by the Commission on Higher Education and the provision of assorted vegetable seeds and fruit tree seedlings by the Department of Agriculture.
Other participating agencies are the Development Bank of the Philippines, the departments of the interior and local government, health, social welfare, and trade, as well as the Food and Drug Administration.