By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Monday that a total of P11.12 billion will be allocated to build more specialty centers nationwide this year to further boost the Philippine healthcare system.
“Noong August 24, 2023 pinirmahan ko ang Republic Act No. 11959 known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. Ito’y mga ating specialty centers, specialty hospitals sa iba’t ibang lugar,” President Marcos said in a video message posted on social media.
The President also noted that the government has already established 131 specialty centers across the country as of December 2023.
The law mandates the Department of Health to put up specialty centers in its hospitals in every region, as well as in state-controlled specialty hospitals and prioritize cancer care, cardiovascular care, lung care, renal care and kidney transplant, brain and spine care, trauma care, and burn care.
These established centers specialize in various medical treatments including orthopedic care, physical rehabilitation medicine, infectious disease and tropical medicine, toxicology, mental health, geriatric care, neonatal care, dermatology, eye care, and ear, nose, and throat care.
Meanwhile, medical doctors have since been assigned to 91% of municipalities nationwide under the Doctors to the Barangays program.
The chief executive reported that the program was expanded to cater to about 204 out of 218 municipalities.
“Kaya’t napakaimportante nito, patuloy pa itong programang ito para naman masabi natin na talaga nating binabantayan ang kalusugan ng ating mga mamamayan,” Marcos added. – cf
