MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday promised to strengthen the country's healthcare system until the end of his term.
Duterte made the vow, as he hailed the inauguration of the new Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital (DJFMH) at the San Lazaro Compound in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
"With less than two months in my term, I cannot afford to waste time and resources as we fulfill our promise for a better and more responsive healthcare system across the country," he said in a speech delivered before the medical professionals.
Duterte expressed optimism that projects like the newly-inaugurated DJFMH would make a "long-lasting, positive" impact on Filipinos.
He also thanked the Department of Health (DOH), as well as the management and staff of the DJFMH, for building a "new and improved" hospital.
Duterte said he is also grateful for the "heroic" acts of health workers who remain at the forefront of the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
"[I] encourage healthcare workers to remain steadfast in your noble task of promoting our people's health and saving lives. Your efforts, especially in the past two years, have truly been heroic," he said.
The onset of the Covid-19, Duterte said, has prompted his administration to ensure that the country's healthcare system is "functional and responsive."
"You have the full support and the eternal gratitude of the Filipino people. Ako man. Salamat. Before I forget, salamat sa tulong ninyo sa gobyerno. Tayo, nagtulungan to fight Covid-19 (I also thank you for assisting the government. We help each other to fight Covid-19)," Duterte told the health workers. "Let us take heed of those lessons so that we can serve our people better."
During the event, Duterte unveiled the project marker that symbolizes the completion of the project.
Duterte was accompanied by DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III, DJFMH Medical Center Chief II Dr. Esmeraldo Ilem, and Senator Christopher Lawrence Go.
The DJFMH, previously on Lope de Vega Street along Sta. Cruz in the City of Manila, is now transferred to the San Lazaro Compound adjacent to the DOH Building.
The new hospital is an 800-bed capacity building ready to provide out-patient services such as molecular laboratory, X-ray, mammography, blood donation services, and consultations.
It is also expected to provide more services such as MRI, CT scan, dialysis, minimally invasive surgery, and a number of laboratory tests in the future.
The hospital, which is known to offer maternal, neonatal, and child health services to the public, will also serve as the Apex Center in Reproductive Health in the Healthcare Providers Network (HCPN) by virtue of the Republic Act (RA) 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act.
It will likewise open a Maternal-Fetal Intensive-Care Unit (MFICU) to maximize the growth of the fetus in-utero and minimize NICU admissions, and bring forth better newborn survival. The hospital is also a proponent of human milk banking and comprehensive family planning services.
The DJFMH's School of Midwifery, which is celebrating its 100-founding anniversary this year, has started its face-to-face classes in the new building, along with its other training programs.
Establishment, conversion of hospitals
Meanwhile, Duterte also signed laws that provide for the conversion and establishment of several hospitals.
Duterte inked RA 11715 converting the Cotabato Sanitarium in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao into a general hospital. The converted hospital will be known as the Cotabato Sanitarium and General Hospital.
Duterte also signed RA 11718 establishing a tertiary general hospital in Abulug, Cagayan, which will be known as the Northwestern Cagayan General Hospital.
RA 11719 also converts the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Daraga, Albay into a general and subspecialty hospital. This will be known as the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center.
A new general hospital in Bocaue, Bulacan, which will be known as the Joni Villanueva General Hospital, will also be established following the signing of RA 11720.
RA 11721 also mandates the establishment of a general hospital in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental which will be known as the Northeastern Misamis General Hospital.
The Sulu Sanitarium in Jolo, Sulu will now be known as the Sulu Sanitarium and General Hospital after being converted into a general hospital, according to RA 11722.
Under RA 11723, the Western Visayas Sanitarium in Santa Barbara, Iloilo is also converted into a general hospital and renamed the Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital.
Duterte inked RA 11725 converting the Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo into a tertiary hospital. The converted hospital is renamed the Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center.
Increased bed capacity
Duterte also signed laws increasing the bed capacity of three hospitals.
Under RA 11716, the bed capacity of Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City will be raised from 600 to 1,200 beds.
Duterte signed RA 11717 increasing the bed capacity of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City from 1,200 to 1,500 beds.
Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando City, La Union will also increase its bed capacity from 300 to 800 beds following the signing of RA 11724.
The laws, which were made public on Wednesday, were signed on April 29. (PNA)
