Iloilo City offers free biopsy, opens new aid center

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The city government expanded its public health and social services this week with the rollout of a free biopsy program and the opening of the Uswag Atipan Center at City Hall.

On Tuesday, Aug. 19, 43 residents received free Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsies at the La Paz Maternity Clinic.

The service was conducted in partnership with the West Visayas State University Medical Center–Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratory, headed by Dr. Anna Victoria J. Sombong.

Qualified patients included those with palpable cysts, such as thyroid, parotid, breast, lymph node, and other masses suitable for needle aspiration.

The initiative, part of the city’s 88th Charter Day celebration, is being evaluated for regular implementation.

Meanwhile, the newly launched Uswag Atipan Center on the seventh floor of Iloilo City Hall served 122 clients on its first day of operations.

The one-stop government service hub aims to bring various forms of assistance closer to residents, including medical and dental services, financial and burial aid, educational support, and scholarships.

The center also offers job placement, livelihood training, and programs for women and senior citizens.

During its first day, the center provided the following services: social services (2), health (8), livelihood (83), scholarship (4), burial (3), financial aid (10), help desk (2), and TESDA inquiries (10).

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu said the initiatives reflect the city’s commitment to inclusive service delivery.

“This is our response to the needs often raised at the barangay level. We want to ensure more Ilonggos benefit from health and social programs,” she said.