The Davao City government in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) XI, opened two new Botika ng Bayan outlets to accommodate the medicine needs of more Dabawenyos.
The new Botika ng Bayan outlets are located in the District Health Centers of Toril and Bunawan, providing free and accessible medicines for indigent residents.
The establishment of the two outlets had brought to seven the number of Botika ng Bayan in the city.
The previous ones were put up in the Lingap Center at the Southern Philippines Medical Center, the City Health Office, and Calinan, Toril and Bunawan District Health Centers.
Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, the head of the City Health Office (CHO), said the city government is aiming more Botika ng Bayan outlets in the other districts.
“We are looking forward to have this in every district to accommodate the needs of Dabawenyos in terms of medicines,” Villafuerte said.
She said the patients could just go to the Botika ng Bayan, present their prescriptions and get their medicines without paying a single centavo.
“If it is for maintenance they can have medicines good for a month. If it’s antibiotics we can give them a supply that will be good for a week,” she added.
In agreement with the city, the DOH will take care of the stocks of the Botika ng Bayan for three years. After the said period, the city government will be responsible on replenishing the stocks of medicines.
Health is one of the 10 priority agenda of Mayor Inday Sara Duterte. CIO
