Some 2,000 residents of Bataan province availed of free medical consultations and services with the launch of the “Lab for All” project in Balanga City on Tuesday.

First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos led the launch of the project which she initiated to bring free medical consultations, laboratory services and distribution of medicines to the communities.

“We are here today to bring the ‘Lab for All’ program. As you know, these last few days, government officials and private sector partners have been working non-stop to bring free medical services to those in need,” the First Lady said as she reported that the “Lab for All” team has so far given over a thousand medical consultations to target beneficiaries during the activity.

She said the team will provide minor surgical services and operations to some 260 residents and dental services to 243 patients.

“All these, in keeping with the SONA (State of the Nation Address) of the President when he said ‘isusulong natin muli ang kalusugan ng mga Pilipino’ (we will promote again the health of the Filipinos). We should try to have healthier communities for the benefit of our people,” the First Lady said.

In his SONA last July, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the need for a better healthcare system when he said, “we must bring medical services to the people and not wait for them.”

The “Lab for All” initiative is one of the government’s efforts towards the full implementation of Republic Act 11223, the Universal Health Care Act, which will guarantee that all Filipinos have equitable access to quality and affordable health care goods and services.

“Indeed, it is through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach that we will achieve Healthy Pilipinas where no one is left behind dahil bawat buhay ay mahalaga (because every life is important),” said Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who graced the event.

Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III, meanwhile, thanked the First Lady for bringing the “Lab for All” program to the province.

“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat dahil po sa inyong proyektong ‘Lab for All’. Tunay po na ito ay pagbibigay hindi lang po lahat ng serbisyo, laboratory, consultation, mga gamot, kungdi po pagbibigay ng pagmamahal mula sa ating Pangulo at Unang Ginang para sa lahat ng Bataeño (We are thankful because of your ‘Lab For All’ project. It is really providing not only all the services, laboratory, consultations and medicines, but also giving love from our President and First Lady for all the Bataenos),” Garcia said.

The target beneficiaries in Bataan received various medical services such as eye checkup, chest X-ray and ultrasound, laboratory tests including blood chemistry and hematology and some minor surgeries.

Essential medicines and vitamins were also distributed in the event which is a collaborative effort of the DOH, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Department of Social Welfare and Development, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Commission on Higher Education. (PNA)