PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. renewed on Monday, July 17, 2023, his vow to pursue accessible quality healthcare services for the public especially those in the underserved communities.
Marcos made the commitment as he led the briefing and site inspection of the Clark Multi-Specialty Medical Center (CMSMC) at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.
“Rest assured this administration is determined to bring quality healthcare services closer to Filipino people. We will establish more primary healthcare facilities and specialty centers nationwide,” he said.
“But that is the product of our relentless push for Universal Healthcare and we will not stop until every Filipino can say they have good access to quality healthcare. I cannot endure the sight of seeing a fellow Filipino suffer only because of the lack of facilities in our health system,” he added.
The CMSMC will be built in a 5.7-hectare property in Clark Freeport Zone that is expected to cater to patients from Pampanga and the rest of Central Luzon but also from the Ilocos and Cagayan Valley regions and even Metro Manila.
It is envisioned to be a world-class medical facility equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that will provide specialized care in four medical disciplines: pediatric, renal, cardiovascular, and oncology.
Marcos also vowed to support initiative for the establishment of rural healthcare units and barangay health centers as he expressed support for the idea of strengthening the “Botika de Barangay” program.
He said the Philippines should learn from the experiences during the coronavirus pandemic and be efficiently equipped in preparation for any such occurrence in the future.
“All of these things we are putting together so that at least when it comes to the fundamental healthcare for our countrymen, then that we can say is readily available to them...starting from the barangay health workers who play an important part in this system to the RHUs to the provincial hospitals to the tertiary-care level hospitals and to grand multi-specialty medical center such as here in Clark,” he said.
“That is why it is a fundamental part of the services that this government will bring to our people. It is not a privilege to have healthcare. It is a right and that is how we will approach this problem and that is how we will continue to make our healthcare system better for all Filipinos in whatever capacity that we are able to do,” he added.
The project will be led by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) in coordination with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).
Marcos also extended his gratitude to the Department of Health (DOH), the Provincial Government of Pampanga, and other stakeholders for the construction of the CMSMC, as he urged government agencies and the private sector to continue collaboration that would benefit the public and uplift their lives.
In his first State of the Nation Address, Marcos reiterated the importance for the country to have specialty hospitals similar to the Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Children’s Hospital and National Kidney and Transplant Institute not only in Metro Manila but especially in provinces in the bid to make quality healthcare more accessible to the public.
At present, there are 45 licensed hospitals in the province of Pampanga, including 28 Level 1 hospitals; 14 Level 2 hospitals, including the OFW Hospital; and three Level 3 hospitals. (SunStar Philippines)