The city government here formally opened its seventh district health center on Tuesday to serve more than 16,000 residents in four barangays (villages).

City Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun led the opening of the Sumilihon District and Main Health Center, witnessed by top city health and barangay officials.

“The launch reflects the city’s continuing direction in expanding its primary care network and bringing services closer to every Butuanon,” Fortun said in a message during the opening ceremony.

The new health facility will primarily serve around 16,055 residents in Barangays Sumilihon, Baobaoan, Los Angeles, and Santo Niño.

Fortun also led the signing of a commitment pledging support, as the city government, Department of Health representatives from Caraga Region, barangay officials, health personnel, and partner facilities affirmed their shared effort to sustain quality, coordinated, and accountable services for communities in the district.

“By establishing the Sumilihon Main Health Center as a district-level primary care hub, the delivery of promotive, preventive, curative, and referral services to families in the district will be strengthened,” the Butuan City information office said in a statement Wednesday.

It added that the health facility will also reinforce the principle of Universal Health Care, ensuring that every resident has appropriate, quality, and continuous access to health services without needing to travel far from their community. (PNA)