Daraga launches 2mobile labs, clinics

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

The Daraga local government unit (LGU) led by Mayor Carlwyn Baldo launched its two mobile labs and clinics on July 5 in an effort to provide free medical services to poor families in the town’s 54 villages.

Dubbed as the Arangkada Banwa Mobile Laboratory and Clinic (ABMLC), it is Baldo’s orange card project, the first service innovation that will provide free laboratory works, medical consultation, diagnostic tests and vaccination to Daragueños.

The mobile laboratory clinic is manned by medical technologists and three physicians with P10 million annual budget allotted for free medical services to the people of Daraga.

The project is anchored on Baldo’s six-point agenda aimed to strengthen basic services, one of which is to provide free healthcare services to residents.

Unlike short-term medical missions on wheels, the ABMLC will bring permanent healthcare services closer to the residents. One of the mobile clinic is parked at the Rural Health Unit (RHU) beside the Daraga covered court, while the other will be roving around the town’s villages by schedule, will offer at least 190 free laboratory and diagnostsic tests for hematology, bacteriology, serology, x-ray, ultrasound, urinalysis, and others.

“My dream is to put up a hospital to provide free healthcare services to the public. Aside from free medicine, my focus is poverty alleviation, free education and addressing water supply scarcity,” Baldo said.

Baldo said the local government will allot P10 million per year for free healthcare services through the ABMLC . “We are bringing to the doorsteps the medical services to the public to cater free services to the poor,” Baldo said.

“The mobile lab and clinics are equipped with start of the art facilities with three physicians onboard with free medicine. We are launching this as we need to know the health situation in the Barangay,” he said.

Senior citizens can also avail of maintenance medicines for free. “This initiative is borne out of my interactions with the people during my campaign who often complain about their incapacity to access quality healthcare services given their personal circumstances,” he said.

Daraga has 120,000 population.

Almost everyday, people would approach me and share their sentiments regarding their medical concerns and their incapacity to seek treatment. So, we are bringing these medical services closer to you. I know your needs and I intend to provide urgent solutions. This is a stepping stone while l prepares my long-term plan to advance healthcare services for all Daragueños, Baldo said.

Baldo, accused of being behind the killing of Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe won reelection during the May 9 election.