Makati Life Medical Center (Facebook photo)
MANILA – The Makati City Government brought health care and social services to a higher level as it opened on Monday the outpatient department (OPD) of Makati Life Medical Center, the former Ospital ng Makati (OsMak) 2.
Mayor Abby Binay said as the OPD starts catering to outpatients, the renovation of other hospital facilities will continue.
"Nabuksan na natin yung 24/7 OPD. Susunod na ‘yung buong ospital (We have opened the 24/7 OPD. The whole hospital will follow). We are committed to provide our citizens with the best possible health care services in Makati and we want every Yellow Card holder to have access to topnotch medical professionals and quality facilities so they can enjoy better health and a better quality of life," Binay said in her message during the inauguration.
The Yellow Card provides government-subsidized health care to cardholders and registered dependents, city government workers and other qualified beneficiaries at the city-run OsMak, village health centers, satellite laboratories and birthing facilities.
They can also be referred to partner-facilities like the Makati Medical Center for specialized medical and diagnostic services that may not be available at OsMak or Makati Life.
Yellow Card members include senior citizens who own real property in Makati and have updated tax declarations, residents aged 80 and above who have been Yellow Card members for at least six years, and retired city government employees of Makati.
The Makati Life Medical Center is the embodiment of the Makati City Government's commitment to providing equity in access to health care, Binay said.
"We hope to provide Makatizens the care they deserve and offer preventive health care through compassionate and comprehensive treatment without discrimination. No one should be deprived of access to healthcare because of financial constraints. Every Makatizen deserves the best care available," Binay said.
"If we are able to build more hospitals, then people don't need to go around Metro Manila just to seek medical attention."
The Makati Life Medical Center is a result of the public-private partnership between the local government and Life Nurture Inc.
The city government contributed PHP2.77 billion worth of assets, while Life Nurture Inc. obtained PHP7 billion in equity and debt funding for the project.
The hospital, located in Barangay Bel-Air, will have a 360-bed capacity and 196 clinics that can house between 800 and 900 doctors; offers multiple specialty centers such as a Cancer Center with a linear accelerator for radiation treatment and a Cardiac Center with a cardiac catherization lab for angiography, open heart surgery, and organ transplantation surgeries; and a Physical Rehabilitation Medical Center that will use robotics in treating joint and soft tissue ailments.
It also features a hybrid operating room that combines diagnostic imaging and surgical theater in one room to effectively manage complex surgeries; and has certified heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system. (PNA)
