Go lauds COVID-19 patient referral center

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go on Monday praised the government’s efforts to strengthen its pandemic response during the inauguration of the National Patient Navigation and Referral Center (NPNRC) at the Philippine International Convention Center.

The NPNRC, formerly called the One Hospital Command Center, shall ensure the optimum use of existing health resources by streamlining processes for health facilities and health care provider networks to create a more coordinated patient referral and transfer system.

“The (NPNRC) marks another milestone in the government’s relentless efforts in providing a fast, efficient and unified COVID-19 response. When the pandemic started, patients did not know where to go,” Go said.

He reiterated his commitment to pursue measures that will improve the delivery and quality of health and health-related services, especially in poor and remote areas.

“We should invest more in our healthcare system right now,” he emphasized.

The ceremony was also attended by Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases co-chair Karlo Nograles, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, National Task Force against COVID-19 chairman Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, testing czar Vince Dizon, World Health Organization representative in the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, Quezon District 4 Rep. Angelina Tan and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos Jr.