The City Government of Davao, through the City Health Office, relaunched a Botika ng Bayan inside the Bunawan District’s multipurpose building in a ceremonial turnover and blessing on Tuesday.
This is the seventh Botika ng Bayan to open in the city, including the ones located in Marilog, Paquibato, Toril, Calinan, Magallanes and Southern Philippines Medical Center, in its bid to provide accessible quality health care.
To avail themselves of free medicines for common illnesses, Dabawenyos will only need to present a prescription from a government-owned clinic or hospital.
During the event, the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) donated herbal medicines and supplements to the Botika ng Bayan. The PITAHC also gave herbal medicine packages to eight beneficiaries from the Bunawan district.
Tuesday’s opening was attended by Department of Health Undersecretary Abdullah Dumama, City Health Office (CHO) Head Dr. Ashley Lopez, Councilor Trisha Villafuerte, Davao City Malasakit Center Head Josephine Mitaran, Lingap Program Head John Patrick Celis, Bunawan District Health Office Head Dr. Michelle Schlosser, department heads, PIHTAC representatives, and other public officials.
Villafuerte, reading a statement from Mayor Sebastian Duterte, thanked PITAHC for its donation. She said that health sector’s efforts to “provide affordable and accessible healthcare” will continue as the local government remains committed to improve the welfare of the city’s communities.
“Today, the opening of this Botika ng Bayan will no doubt enhance our capacity to provide efficient healthcare to the people,” she added.
Lopez said the CHO aims to open at least 18 Botika ng Bayan in the city. He added that their office has already laid “100% of the groundwork” needed to implement Universal Health Care (UHC). CIO
