Health Comm endorses proposed law on free annual check-ups, lab exams for residents

THE City Council Committee on Health, Nutrition, and Health Insurance chaired by Councilor Maria Lourdes S. Gaane favorably recommended the approval of the proposed ordinance providing for free annual comprehensive medical check-ups and laboratory exams in public hospitals or laboratories to all residents in the city.

Authored by City Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, the proposed ordinance provides that the free annual check-ups and lab exams will give priority to senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in government health facilities under the city government.

It may be recalled that the Department of Health submitted to the committee its comments regarding the inclu sion of the provisions that health workers shall also be the priority beneficiaries who can avail the health care services.

During the meeting yesterday, Vice Mayor Rodriguez manifested that Councilor Gaane be a co-author of the proposed ordinance.

Councilor Gaane expressed his gratitude to the vice mayor, saying that it was her pleasure to accept the proposal of the vice mayor.

With this, Councilor Aga Suan, who was present during the meeting, endorsed the matter to the Committee on Laws and Rules for appropriate action, pending the submission of a legal opinion from the City Legal Office that will be incorporated in the proposed ordinance.