A COUNCILOR in Davao City will push for the 24-hour operation of health centers in each district to address the needs of a growing population.

Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte, during the Pulong-Pulong ni Pulong (PPP) Tuesday, September 25, said that they will try to have all the city health centers operate 24 hours a day as part of the target to have all the 17 district health centers accredited by PhilHealth.

“Tayo dito sa Davao, meron na tayong 1.6 million na residents, nag-aambisyon na din tayo na eventually, gagawin nating 24 hours yung mga health centers,” Villafuerte said.

“This will involve hiring more personnel,” she added.

Villafuerte also said that the city should not rely on the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) so there is a need for city-run hospitals.

“Gawin na nating 24 hours, kahit na isang health center lang kada distrito, yan po ang gusto ko,” Villafuerte said, adding that she planned to pilot in Calinan district before the year ends.

Meanwhile, Villafuerte said that the accreditation would mean return of investment to the local government unit(LGU).

“’Pag magpa-accredit tayo, everytime we have patients, everytime someone delivers, there is a return of investment for the LGU,” she said.

The goal, according to Villafuerte, is to have all the health centers and even the new urban health centers to be eventually accredited to offer primary care package such as maternity care package and TB-DOTS.

“Gusto natin na all those indigents ay ma-enrol sana sa PhilHealth and then yung primary care package, they will enjoy it,” she said.