Governor Pam Baricuatro is placing healthcare at the heart of her administration, advancing a comprehensive effort to strengthen Cebu’s health systems so that quality, accessible, and compassionate care reaches even the most remote communities.
Recognizing that health is both deeply personal and a vital public responsibility, Governor Baricuatro has prioritized the upgrading of district hospitals and rural health units across the province. These improvements include enhanced medical equipment, expanded service capacity, and better support for frontline health workers ensuring that families no longer need to travel far for essential treatment.
“Our goal is simple: no Cebuano should be left behind when it comes to health,” Governor Baricuatro said. “We are building a system that delivers care where people live, especially in areas that have long been underserved.”
The provincial government is also strengthening access to affordable medicines, maternal and child care, and mental health services areas that saw growing demand in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Programs now focus not only on treatment, but on prevention, early detection, and community-based wellness initiatives shaped by lessons learned during the global health crisis.
For residents like Maria L., a mother from a coastal barangay in northern Cebu, the improvements are already life-changing. During her recent pregnancy, she was able to receive regular prenatal checkups at her local rural health unit services that previously required hours of travel.
“Before, we had to borrow money just to go to the city for checkups,” she shared. “Now the care is here. I felt safer knowing someone was looking after me and my baby.”
Similarly, expanded mental health consultations have begun reaching young people and workers seeking support closer to home, reflecting the administration’s commitment to treating health holistically.
Governor Baricuatro emphasized that strengthening healthcare is not just about infrastructure, but about restoring trust and dignity in public service.
“The pandemic taught us that resilience begins with a strong health system,” she said. “We are turning those lessons into lasting policies investing in facilities, people, and programs that will protect Cebu for generations.”
Through sustained investments, community partnerships, and patient-centered policies, the Baricuatro administration is working to ensure that healthcare in Cebu is not only more responsive but more humane, inclusive, and within reach of every Cebuano.
