Mobile clinics rolling across Cebu soon

CEBU, Philippines — In fulfillment of her campaign promise to deliver accessible healthcare services to even the most remote communities, Cebu Governor Pamela “Pam” Baricuatro has announced the rollout of mobile clinics across the province, beginning with Camotes Island.

During a press conference at the Capitol, provincial assistant administrator Aldwin Empaces confirmed that the administration is finalizing a partnership to launch the initiative, which is part of Baricuatro’s 100-day agenda.

“We are working on a partner now and finalizing it. The first site would be in Camotes," said Empaces.

Baricuatro emphasized that the mobile clinics will offer diagnostic and basic health services including X-ray, blood pressure monitoring, diabetes testing, and dental checkups.

The governor’s team clarified that the initial rollout will focus on island communities, with Camotes as the pilot area, followed by other localities in the north.

“For now, the direction of the governor is to prioritize the islands,” said Empaces.

He said the effort falls under the 100-day rollback plan of the Baricuatro administration, which seeks to assess and accelerate implementation of programs based on the previously approved 2025 budget.

While the mobile clinic project taps into funds allocated by the previous administration, the current team is working to fine-tune and redesign initiatives to make them more responsive and inclusive.

"I hope masabtan ninyo na the administration is moving, implementing a plan annual budget that was already approved in the past year," he stressed.

He said they want to fast-track the planning process because there’s still a lot of groundwork to be done in aligning with DILG standards.

In a separate interview, Dr. Nicole Elisse Catalan, daughter and healthcare consultant of Governor Baricuatro, said the team is aiming to deploy the first mobile clinics as early as Monday, July 7.

“We will aim for that," she said.

The mobile clinics are part of a larger vision for integrated healthcare in the province. Baricuatro previously said she wants to improve district and provincial hospitals, particularly in terms of medicine supply and other medical equipment

To complement the mobile clinics, a “mobile kitchen” program is also being conceptualized to address food and nutrition needs during medical missions and calamity responses.

Empaces added that institutionalizing the planning process will be key to ensuring that initiatives such as the mobile kitchen and mobile clinics are not just some band-aid solutions but permanent features of provincial governance. — (FREEMAN)