The first-ever super health center (SHC) in Davao del Sur province broke ground on Monday at Barangay Zone 3 here.

Set to be completed in September this year, the SHC aims to provide comprehensive basic health services to the people, including the outpatient department, laboratory, X-ray, ultrasound, birthing services, diagnostic, pharmacy, and emergency services.

The PHP11.5-million health facility, with an allotment of PHP6.5 million for the building and PHP5 million for equipment, is funded by the Department of Health (DOH) under its health facility enhancement program.

Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, who led the groundbreaking, said the SHC will help decongest the public hospital in the province.

“You can expand the health center like putting dialysis machines. This is one way of making the medical services closer to the people,” he said in his speech.

Other components, particularly the maintenance operation and staffing of the SHCs, will be shouldered by the local government.

Mayor Josef Fortich Cagas thanked the DOH for the project and the senator for pushing the creation of the SHC.

“Deepest gratitude and appreciation to DOH and Senator Go for putting the project to fruition. This project helps us in making Digos the city of choice,” he said. (PNA)