Saturday, August 25, 2007 Davao soon to have its own lung center By Carlo P. Mallo
AN P80-million lung center already has the go-signal from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, but the Department of Budget and Management has yet to release the fund for the project to be started.
"It is not us that acts slowly, cause as soon as we receive the budget, construction will be non-stop until the completion of the project," Department of Health-Southern Mindanao Director Paulyn Rosell-Ubial said Friday.
Ubial said the city is in dire need of a lung center as it is fast growing to be one of the largest metropolis in the country. She said Davao is accessible to more people in Mindanao.
"It is very costly to fly to Manila for lung specialized treatment," Ubial said. Thus, in cases of complex forms of tuberculosis, such as multiple-drug-resistant-tuberculosis, the patient has to fly to Manila for treatment.
Ubial said the treatment for that kind of tuberculosis is only available in Manila.
"There are only three centers in the country, all in Metro Manila, where treatment is available," Ubial added.
