ILOILO CITY — The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) here, through its committee on health, is pushing for the establishment of centers of excellence in all hospitals based in this highly urbanized city.
Councilor Candice Magdalance Tupas, a doctor by profession, rallied the support of her colleagues at the city council for the passage of the ordinance on first reading during the regular session held on January 8.
“This will promote medical tourism and help proper referrals amongst hospitals, amongst doctors. Since we are a regional center, this is already needed,” she said.
The declaration of centers of excellence would also promote trainings and conventions that would impact on tourism economy and medical tourism. The city could even be the national center for excellence for targeted diseases.
Including two hospitals that are managed by the Department of Health (DOH) here is a host to around seven tertiary hospitals.
“We have to talk to medical directors and consultants on how we can do about it,” she said.
Councilor Joshua Alim, in expressing support to the proposal, said he wanted government and private hospitals to upgrade their services.
He said the author considers the condition of all government hospitals in the city in pushing for the center of excellence.
