SENATOR JV Ejercito on Thursday, April 4, batted for the establishment of a “specialty hospital” in every region.

Ejercito, chairman of the Senate health committee, said he would file a bill, if reelected, for the construction and operation of regional “specialty hospitals” like the Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, and National Kidney and Transplant Institute, which are all located in Metro Manila.

Ejercito, principal sponsor of the Universal Health Care Law, said these regional “specialty hospitals” would spare patients and their families from incurring huge expenses and would relieve them from possible inconveniences from having to travel from the provinces. There is also that dilemma as to where they will live when they seek medication or checkups in Manila-based hospitals.

Aside from the UHC, Ejercito also pushed for other health-centered laws including the Mental Health Act, Philippine HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus / acquired immune deficiency syndrome) Policy Act, and National Integrated Cancer Control Act.

On the other hand, former Bacolod Congressman Monico O. Puentevella, who is running for congressman in the lone district of Bacolod, earlier said that the West Tower at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital was formerly the Heart, Lung and Kidney Center project that he worked out when he was still the solon of Bacolod.

It was only changed to the West Tower recently. But he said that if he will be given the chance to serve Bacolod again, he will work to rename the said facility either as the Bacolod City Hospital or the Heart, Lung and Kidney Center of Bacolod City.