𝐆𝐎𝐕. 𝐏𝐀𝐌 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐑. 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐌𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌 𝐌𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒

Hope and optimism filled the Cebu Provincial Government as four (4) new mammogram machines arrived yesterday, March 16, 2026, bringing improved healthcare services closer to women across the province.

People’s Governor Pamela Baricuatro and Capitol Piso Public Health Consultant Elisse Nicole Catalan expressed their appreciation and excitement over the arrival of the new medical equipment that will soon be installed in four provincial hospitals.

The mammogram machines will be placed at Cebu Provincial Hospital–Balamban, Cebu Provincial Hospital–Bogo, Cebu Provincial Hospital–Carcar, and Cebu Provincial Hospital–Danao, as part of the Cebu Provincial Government’s continued efforts to strengthen and expand healthcare services for Cebuanos.

According to the Capitol, the acquisition of these machines reflects Governor Baricuatro’s commitment to prioritizing healthcare in the province, particularly women’s health. The initiative aims to ensure that more women will have access to early detection and screening for diseases such as Breast Cancer. Dr. Catalan explained that the installation of mammogram machines in provincial hospitals will also help decongest APEX hospitals that currently handle a large number of patients seeking breast cancer screening and diagnostic services. By providing screening services within the province, more women can access early detection closer to their communities while reducing the burden on major referral hospitals.

Because of this, she recommended to Governor Baricuatro the purchase of mammogram machines so that women in the province, especially those from underserved communities, can access affordable and timely screening services for early detection of breast cancer. She emphasized that a mammogram is a specialized imaging test capable of detecting very small lumps or abnormalities in the breast even before symptoms become noticeable. Through early detection, patients have a much higher chance of receiving timely treatment and surviving the disease.

“Early detection is very important. When we detect the disease early, the chances of successful treatment are much higher and complications can be prevented. This will greatly help women in the province, especially those who have limited access to screening services,” Dr. Catalan said. She also noted that installing mammogram machines in different provincial hospitals will bring healthcare services closer to communities, eliminating the need for patients to travel far just to undergo the screening. The project is considered an important step in strengthening preventive healthcare in Cebu.

Once operational, the mammogram machines are expected to benefit thousands of women across the province by enabling earlier detection of breast cancer, one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide. Through this initiative, the Cebu Provincial Government continues its commitment to strengthening the healthcare system and providing more accessible and affordable medical services for all Cebuanos.