Community stroke rehabilitation center opens in Barangay Tibungco

A community-based rehabilitation center for stroke patients opened in Barangay Tibungco, Davao City, on Tuesday, 27 October, according to the Daily Tribune.

Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte led the opening, joined by Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go, who attended the ribbon-cutting at the mayor's invitation. The senator was in the area for the blessing and turnover of the nearby Tibungco Super Health Center.

The center is meant to offer rehabilitation and recovery services nearer to where residents live, particularly for stroke survivors who need ongoing medical attention. Go said the facility could reduce the need for patients to travel to hospitals for therapy, especially those who have trouble with movement, coordination or speech after a stroke. He added that accessible rehabilitation can ease the financial and caregiving load on families looking after survivors.

Go cited Republic Act 11959, the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally authored and sponsored. The law requires Department of Health hospitals in the regions to set up specialty centers, including services for heart conditions, brain and spine disorders, and physical rehabilitation. In Davao City, the Southern Philippines Medical Center already provides specialized cardiovascular care as well as cancer, lung, neonatal and trauma services, and Go has backed the development of cardiac catheterization facilities there.

The Tibungco Super Health Center, meanwhile, is intended to widen access to primary care such as medical consultations, diagnostic procedures and preventive services.

Go urged continued coordination among the Department of Health, local governments and health workers so that community facilities have enough staff, equipment and resources.

Also present were Councilors Richlyn "Che-che" Justol and Danilo Dayanghirang, Barangay Tibungco Captain Merjade Calvo, City Health Officer Dr. Margie Roa-Rubio, and Dr. Grace Amistoso, officer-in-charge assistant regional director of the Department of Health Region XI.