By Brian Campued
To address the increasing demand for cancer treatment and augment the limited capacity of the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Hospital, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
In his keynote message, the President noted the importance of the cancer center in the government’s efforts to provide treatment to cancer patients, as the illness ranks as the second leading cause of death in the country from January to May 2024.
Marcos also stressed that since its inauguration in 2022, the hospital’s outpatient capacity already exceeded 160 patients, resulting in the repurposing of vital areas as triage zones.
“This is why the hospital’s second floor will be dedicated to the Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center. While the vision is clear, we acknowledge that much work remains to be done to ensure that this facility would be equipped to serve those in need,” Marcos said.
Construction of the facility will start in January 2025 and is expected to be completed by November of the same year.
Once operational, the new cancer care center can accommodate 64 patients and will provide various treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, diagnostic and staging services, and surgical oncology, among others.
The OFW Hospital, a Level 1 specialty hospital with a 50-bed capacity, is the first and only medical institution in the country that provides comprehensive medical services to OFWs and their dependents.
“Sa aming minamahal na OFWs, ang karagdagang pasilidad na ito ay para po sa inyo at sa inyong pamilya. Hindi naman natin hinahangad na magagamit ninyo ito, ngunit mas makakahinga tayo nang maluwag kung alam natin na may matatakbuhan na ospital ang ating mga OFWs sa oras ng inyong pangangailangan,” the President said.
“Nawa’y ang Cancer Care [Center] na ito ay maging simbolo ng ating mas magandang kinabukasan—kung saan ang sakripisyo ng ating mga OFWs ay masuklian, ang kanilang pangarap ay mabigyang katuparan, at ang kanilang kalusugan ay pinapahalagahan,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive paid tribute to the late Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Sec. Susan Ople for her dedication to the welfare of OFWs, which inspired the project.
“Her legacy reminds us to approach every patient with compassion and care, assuring them that they are not alone in their fight,” Marcos said.
He also lauded the DMW, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and stakeholders for the realization of the project—expressing hope to witness the completion of two more cancer care centers to be built in the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital, and the Philippine Cancer Center.
-av