CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — More than 1,000 Kapampangans received free laboratory tests, consultations and medicines during the Laboratoryo, Konsulta, at Gamot para sa Lahat (Lab for All) caravan.
This is an initiative of First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos, in partnership with the Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the provincial government of Pampanga.
In her message, she highlighted the Marcos administration’s commitment to provide accessible primary care services to the people.
“My husband’s administration raises great importance to your health and well-being. This is in keeping with what he promised during his SONA [State of the Nation Address] last year. He said that the government must bring the medical services closer to the people instead of waiting for them to come to the hospitals and health centers. That is why I’m here today to help the President fulfill his promise,” she said.
For his part, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said Lab for All serves as a one-stop shop where patients can get checked up, tested, and given prescriptions in a day instead of having to go back the following day for laboratory tests and prescriptions.
Meanwhile, Governor Dennis Pineda thanked the First Lady for prioritizing the Kapampangans in the program.
“Expect that we will continue this program in the province of Pampanga. We will focus on the diseases of the Kapampangans, and will be proactive in taking actions before their illnesses get worse,” he said.
Aside from free laboratory tests, consultations and medicines, the beneficiaries also received family food packs.
Pampanga is one of the early beneficiaries of the caravan in the country and the second in Central Luzon after Tarlac. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA 3)